ELE 302.501: Teaching Social Studies

This is a Web-based course taught by Jimmy Partin .

Instructor Contact Information 
SFA Purple Seal James (Jimmy) G. Partin, M.A.
email: mailto:jpartin@sfasu.edu%20
(936) 468-1429

Course Description
This course explores the scope and sequence of social studies content in grades EC-4 and/or 4-8 with emphasis on age/grade appropriate strategies, activities, materials, and technology for achieving curriculum objectives. Its focus is on how to teach social studies and not the acquisition of social studies content knowledge, although students will be expected to demonstrate their prior acquisition of appropriate knowledge of social studies content. Reference: SFASU General Bulletin.

Required Textbooks and Materials:

Course Prerequisites 
None.

Course Format and Participation Requirements
This is a web-based course designed for paraprofessionals and/or others employed in a public school setting who are seeking initial or additional certification for teaching EC-4. It includes scheduled assignments and deadlines, offline reading assignments and projects, online readings and participation using web pages, email, and discussion boards. The course includes scheduled online quizzes and exams. The course also requires one scheduled face-to-face meeting as indicated below. In addition, students will be expected to plan and teach one or more lessons in the public school classroom to which they are assigned. To be successful in this course, the typical student should plan to spend at least 12-15 hours per week working on assignments for this course.]

On-campus or Face-to-Face Meeting Requirements
Students will be expected to attend one face-to-face meeting on campus. This meeting will be scheduled by the program coordinator in conjunctiion with meetings for other classes and is usually near mid-semester. Date, time, and meeting room will be shown in the course calendar.

Course Assessment
Each student will be expected to meet the following requirements:
1. Create an integrated thematic social studies unit for the grade level assigned and teach a minimum of one lesson from the unit.
2. Take and pass a competency test on knowledge of social studies content.
3. Take and pass the Intern II Mastery Exam.
4. Complete one quiz and an End of Semester Exam over the course content.
5. Review and revise the Philosophy of Teaching paper begun in ELE 304.
6. Complete and submit the COE's Final Dispositions Checklist.
7. Participate in all assigned class discussions on the course discussion board.  

Effort Expected
To be successful in this course students should expect to spend about 12-15 hours a week on readings, assignments, discussions, and other activities. This estimate is for the fall and spring semesters; if the course is offered during the summer course, more time per week may be necessary.

Technical Requirements for the Course
Other than the minimum technical requirements for any course, students will need, MicroSoft Word, Power Point, and Real Player or Quick Time.

Before the Course Begins

  • Activate mySFA username, password, and email
  • Register and pay for the course just as you would any other SFA course.
  • As soon as you are registered, please send an email message to the instructor.

    • F-1 Visa Holders
    There are important federal regulations pertaining to distance education activity for F-1 Visa holders. All students with an F-1 Visa should follow the instructions at the following link to make sure they are in compliance.
    http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/facsup/f1visa.html

    RESOURCE LINKS:
     
    Prepare for an online course: Getting Started
    Order your textbooks online: Textbooks
    Log on to your course: Blackboard Logon
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