Question:
I realize that I am a new teacher and my ideals may be high for how much curriculum should be covered in elementary. However, I am saddened at the fact that our school has been highly encouraged to exclude certain content in favor of the “tested” subjects. When did social studies become a thing of the past for elementary schools?
Response:
While the board has designated a 3-hour literacy block, they intend for teacher to be integrating from other content areas (such as social studies). This is the express reason that the district has developed and published our interconnections curriculum to provide resources to teachers and ensure those non-tested subjects are taught. We have a prescribed social studies curriculum at every level of elementary. The board expects these topics to be addressed and integrated into that literacy block as a reading component. The district cares enough about the subject of social studies that we have a specialist at the district level to support the subject. Dawn Hauser is her name and feel free to contact her if you need additional assistance or have other questions. Thanks for the question.