If you could tell them anything...

Hello all!!
I will be doing a presentation with 2 other wonderful SS teachers for preservice and years 1-3 teachers in February at the North Carolina Social Studies Conference.

What I would love to know from you is the following........

1. What would you tell prospective and new Social Studies teachers that you know now that you
wish you had known when you started?
2. What is your best trick in the classroom?
3. Be realistic (Well, no in so much as to scare them away running...), but what would you tell them
if you could tell them anything?

I muchly appreciate your responses!!!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Johnathan Chase on January 7, 2009 at 6:54pm

I would tell them to try using popular songs in their social studies lessons and activities whenever possible. Music will engage young people and the lyrics are excellent for introducing key concepts, topics, themes and ideas. Many contemporary songs reference/critique specific people and events. A great way to make connections with your students and stimulate critical thinking and also strengthen media literacy skills.

Permalink Reply by Greg Lehr on January 12, 2009 at 8:25pm

I'm new to the group but I figured I would give this a shot.
1. Keep students engaged and active in the class. I love the saying, "Kids aren't always going to remember what we teach them, but they are going to remember how we made them feel."
2. I don't think it's really a trick, but Cooperative Learning can work wonders at any level.
3. See #1

Permalink Reply by Adrian Montero on October 17, 2009 at 6:12pm

I'm sure that you've done your presentation long ago, but I came across this thread and I feel like all three points are valuable. I've often thought about the first one, except I think "if only I knew then what I know now." I think that my advice would be to look for mentors at your school site and not to be afraid of asking other teacher's about what they are doing. For me, having a sounding board for ideas has been extremely important. I'm not especially creative, but I can adapt things from what other people do. My best trick isn't so much a trick as it is just a good idea I learned log ago but ignored for too long, and that is to say "Hi" to all of the students as they come in to class. It seems to make you a little more human and allows you to connect better with the students. As for realism, my best advice would be to make sure you that you have realistic expectations for your students. It's easy to forget that these are just kids, and not adults. They can do some amazing things, but they have to be well-prepared by you to get there.

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