By : Fathimath sazuna
Introduction
Social studies is an integral learning area Social Science allows students to value their
roots, explore their pasts and understand their contexts, appreciate the
interrelationships between people across time, environments and cultures while
developing civic efficacy.
Social studies syllabus is comprised of 6 strands. They are
as follows;
Content Selection
It is important to note that children should experience a
broad and balanced program. Teachers should draw content from the five content
areas;
Culture and identity
People, places and environment
The economic world
Time, continuity and change
Active citizenship
Investigating , communication and participation
Culture and Identity
Culture and Identity will help students understand multiple
perspectives of cultures that are derived from different systems of beliefs,
knowledge, values and tradition and to learn and adapt to dynamic and
ever-changing culture.
People, Places and
Environment
The study of people, places, and human-environment
interactions assists learners to understand the relationship that exist between
the people and environment as they create their spatial views and geographic
perspectives of the world.
The Economic World
Helps students learn about how people participate in
economic activities and about the consumptions, production, and distribution of
goods and services. They also learn how to manage their needs that often exceed
the limited resources and the role of interdependency and technology in
economic decision-making.
Time, Continuity and
Change
Students learn about events, experiences, and actions and
the changing ways in which these have been interpret over time. This helps them
to understand what things were like in the past and how things change and
develop so that they can imagine a possible future.
Active Citizenship
Students to understand the historical development of
structures of power, authority, and governance and their evolving functions in
an individuals’ society as well as in other parts of the world, which is
essential for developing civic competence. Investigation, Communication and
Participation
Investigation,
Communication and Participation
Helps students investigate the ways people interact with
each other and with their environments in order to make informed decisions and
implement relevant social action.
Outcomes
Outcomes are statements of knowledge, understanding, skills
and values expected to be achieved by most students at the end of a given
stage.
In Social Studies all outcomes are of equal importance. The
presentation of the outcomes does not imply a sequence of teaching and learning
activities.
Indicators
An indicator is an example of the behavior that students may
display as they work towards the achievement of syllabus outcomes. Indicators
reflect and describe aspects of knowledge, understanding, skills and values.
An indicator may describe part of all aspects of an outcome.
Outcomes and indicators together assist teachers in identifying student’s
current achievement and in planning future learning experiences.
social studies powerfully and authentically begins with a
deep knowledge and understanding of the subject and its unique goals. Social
studies prepare students to identify, understand, and work to solve the
challenges facing our diverse nation in an increasingly interdependent world.
