The 5 Social Studies Strands are Geography, History, Culture, Economics and Government. These strands all play an important role in teaching todays youth about our countries current identity as well as its past. Social Studies itself is said to help students develop the skills necessary to make reasonable decisions as good public citizens in their future years in adulthood. By teaching them a wide variety of Social Studies we as teachers are preparing them for their futures so to speak. Everything that is covered in Social Studies are things that students need to know. Its not only important to know our countries current state and our rights as free citizens, but its also important to know how we got to where we are today and why. Why is it important to know how to read a map? Why is it important to know the differences between our culture and another? In life, there will be times where they questions and situations arise, and we as teachers must prepare our students. I myself wish that I was prepared as a young adult more than I had been. Now that I will be a teacher, I’ll be re-learning a few things along side with my students.. and that’s okay.
I want to know as much as I possibly can. I want my students to be saying the same.
World history and contemporary issues are among some of the most important information our students need to know. While all strands are needed, world history shines light on our planet as a whole, oppose to just our own country. Learning about our country in detail is crucial, but if we limit our students to just learning about our own country they are missing out on so much more. Culture, language, religion and many more vary from place to place. Trade, laws, location and every day life are different all over the world, and realizing that is key to having an open mind.
Alyssa's Blog 
Alyssa, great blog on the importance of developing a cultural diversity appreciation among learners and, I believe, that the key is introducing this social studies strand to them early and often. Just as educators need to focus on what learners “can do” rather than hyper-focusing on what they “can’t do”, I feel our current society is lacking on the same premise. We need to better teach our future adults early on the benefits of diversity, appreciating what it means to be different and developing the ability to be mindful of our cognitive biases while embracing the numerous leaps and bounds which diversity has enabled for our human race. As for world history, in order “to [continually] move forward we must look back” (author unknown). You last statement, “trade, laws, location and every day life are different all over the world, and realizing that is key to having an open mind” had me thinking of a Sioux Indian prayer that I learned from a previous class (Noonan, 2018). It reads:
Oh, great spirit, keep me from judging a man until I am able to walk in his
moccasins (Peters, 1987).
You educating on this social studies strand will help build upon a lifetime of growth, learning and appreciation.
My hat goes off to you, Alyssa, and good luck!
References:
Peters, William. A Class Divided, Then and Now, Expanded Edition. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 9/10/87. Print.
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Hi Alyssa,
I think what you said about teaching students about world history and contemporary issues is really spot on; even more so in today’s day and age given the advent of globalization. Remembering my time as a student, I always though it was baffling how little attention was giving to current issues at home and around the world/ I get the idea of providing students a historical base to a launch from is good, but it takes a good amount of critical thinking to see how historical issues of a hundred years ago impact our lives today. Maybe social studies should start off modern day issues then work backwards, explaining how the issues of today usually have some kind of historical root.
I do get that the issue with teaching more recent history is that as society and as educators, we aren’t quite sure what to make of it yet. Also, contemporary issues are fairly complicated in terms of morality and are controversial. You don’t want to simplify things to much because then simplifying borders on misinforming but things have to be simplified to some extent. Its a tough line to balance on but one that should be address regardless.
Thanks,
Ryan
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I agree that “world history and contemporary issues are among some of the most important information our students need to know.” In today’s global economy, where everything is interconnected, it is important to be aware of world history, past and present. To expand upon your thought that knowing world history leads to open minds, I believe without knowledge of world history, a country risks losing its ability to play on the world stage.
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