Social Studies Content for Elementary and Middle School Teachers

by Fritzer, Penelope J.

• ISBN13: 9780205347414
• ISBN10: 020534741X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This text gives a helpful overview of both U.S. and world history, in addition to basic knowledge in geography, economics, and civics for pre-service and in-service teachers.The wide history coverage will allow the pre-service teacher to see historical events in overall context. It is an invaluable resource for the in-service teacher who needs both and overview for planning and help in answering student questions. Geography, economics, and civics concepts are clearly explained, so the book will be helpful when used in writing lesson plans. It saves professors of methods courses from having to re-teach social studies content and remain focused on the methods.Beyond the text, the book contains extensive resource lists for teachers and students, including relevant Websites and student literature. Major subject area organizations, museums, and U.S. government sites, especially the resources of the Library of Congress and the National Archives will be particularly useful to the reader. Additionally, there is an extensive index that allows teachers to look up subjects and answers at a glance.

Table of Contents

Preface: A Word to the Reader.

1. Why Study Social Studies?

2. History.
Early Humans.
Europe.
Asia.
Africa.
The Americas.
The Twentieth Century Around the World.
History Resources.

3. Geography.
Basic Ideas.
Water and Land.
Reading Maps.
The Physical Movement of the Earth and Its Effects.
Continents.
Geography Resources.

4. Economics.
The Basic Premises.
The History of Economics.
Government Involvement in Economics.
Consumer Choices Related to Needs and Wants.
Entrepreneurs and wage-earners.
Supply and Demand.
Economics Resources.

5. Government.
The Purpose of Government.
Values of American Democracy.
Constitutional Governments.
The U.S. Constitution.
State and Local Government in the United States.
The United States in the World.
Government Resources.
A Final Word.
General Resources for the Teacher.
Index.