ERIC Number: ED286814
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1987
Pages: 37
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Social Studies in Kindergartens: A Status Report.
Atwood, Virginia A.; Finkelstein, Judith M.
Kindergarten teachers do not view social studies as an important part of the preschool curriculum. This was the finding of a survey of kindergarten teachers in two midwestern states. The questionnaires used in the survey were designed to determine the emphasis teachers placed on specific social studies topics, skills, and values. Teachers indicated they spent an average of 22.6 minutes each day on social studies. Sixty-six percent of the teachers integrate social studies into other teaching areas. The data indicated that as teachers gain experience, they tend to place less emphasis on teaching social studies. It is clear that the priority placed on other curricular areas is affecting the amount of time spent on teaching social studies and may affect the availability of instructional materials. Teacher-made units structure learning activities. Materials and resources most often used are picture study, the school library, role play, puppetry, and learning centers. There is more agreement among teachers on the importance of specific affective topics than on which skills or content should be taught. Well defined state guidelines, parental sanctions, and appropriate materials would serve to improve the position of social studies in the curriculum. Teachers must agree on what content, concepts, attitudes, and skills should be taught and make a commitment of time to teach them. (SM)
Publication Type: Information Analyses; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers; Researchers; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Iowa; Kentucky
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A