FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev.

0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in EGE101 – Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Grades (Philippine History And Government) Module No. 1

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 1

MODULE 1 Foundation of Social Studies Teaching and Learning

MODULE OVERVIEW

In this module, we will explore a brief introduction to on the nature and foundations of Social Studies
teaching. This module will help you to reflect on the purpose of teaching social studies and to shape your
approach to teaching the subject. It will give you a better understanding of Social Studies teaching and how
students can learn it best.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. define social studies;

2. outline the social studies scope and explain its significance;
3. clarify and explain the meaning and importance of Social Studies as a subject.

LEARNING CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Teaching is both an art and a science. Have you ever thought about what makes an effective Social
studies teacher? Try to recall the teachers who influenced your life. What made them stand out?

The purpose of elementary school social studies is to enable students to understand, participate in,
and make informed decisions about their world. Social studies content allows young learners to explain
relationships with other people, to institutions, and to the environment, and equips them with knowledge and
understanding of the past. It provides them with skills for productive problem solving and decision making as
well as for assessing issues and making thoughtful value judgments. Above all, it integrates these skills and
understandings into a framework for responsible citizen participation locally, nationally, and globally. The
teaching and learning processes within social studies are uniquely organized to develop these capacities,
beginning with the youngest learners in our schools.

1.1 SOCIAL STUDIES DEFINED

What is Social Studies?

The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS; 1994), defines social studies as follows: “Social
studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within
the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as
anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology,
religion, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural
sciences.”

The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed
and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a diverse, democratic society in an interdependent
world. (p. 3)

Four essential characteristics

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Study Guide in EGE101 – Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Grades (Philippine History And Government) Module No. 1

1. Nurtures the development of the whole person.

2. Involves relationships.
3. Is concerned with life experiences.
4. Enables the learner to critically examine and define their values (personal, cultural & political).

1.2 SOCIAL STUDIES (ARALING PANLIPUNAN) DEFINED

Pundasyong Historikal ng Araling Panlipunan

Sa Estados Unidos unang nalikha ang Araling Panlipunan bilang asignatura sa batayang edukasyon.
Sa pasimula tinawag ito sa iba-ibang pangalan sa mga paaralan. Sa panahong kolonyal nakatuon ang
edukasyong primarya sa Estados Unidos sa pagtuturo ng relihiyon at moralidad. Subalit pagkatapos ng
Digmaang Rebolusyonaryo sa Estados Unidos nagkaroon ng pagmimithing maisaloob at maisaisip ng mga
mag-aaral ang pagmamahal sa bansa gayundin ang pagkakaroon ng malawak na kaalaman sa bagong
nasyon. Dahil dito, sinimulan na sa mga paaralan ang pagtuturo ng kasaysayan at heograpiya. Ganito ang
nagging kalakaran sa pagtuturo sa mga paaralan sa Estados Unidos sa mahabang panahon. Nagkaroon ng
Digmaang Sibil sa bansa at sa pagtatapos nito nagtatag ang pamahalaan ng mga libreng paaralang
elementarya para muling mapagkaisa ang mga mamamayan. Sa panahong ito idinagdag ang pagtuturo ng
sibika (civics) sa pag-aaral ng kasaysayan at heograpiya.

Noong 1916 lumikha ang National Education Academy (NEA) ng isang lupong susuri sa kurikulum ng
mga paaralan. Ito ang lupong naatasang suriin kung natutugunan ng kurikulum sa mga paaralang primarya
na napamamayanihan ng kasaysayan at heograpiya ang hamon sa paglinang ng pagkamamamayan
(citizenship) sa mga mag-aaral. Napag-alaman sa isinagawang pananaliksik ng lupon na ang natutugunan
lamang ay ang paghahanda sa mga mag-aaral sa kanilang pagpasok sa mga kolehiyo at unibersidad at sa
pagkakaroon ng kasanayan sa replektibong pag-iisip (reflective thinking). Para higit na matamo (attain) ang
pangunahing hangarin tungo sa pagkamamayan ng mga mag-aaral iminungkahi ng lupon na likhain ang
Araling Panlipunan bilang asignatura sa batayang edukasyon. Bunga ng naturang pag-aaral nagkaroon ng
gradwal na rebisyon ang kurikulum hanggang sa nalikha ang Araling Panlipunan, ang asignatura kung saan
ang mga aralin ay nakapokus sa mga isyu, pangyayari at suliraning may kaugnayan sa mga totoong
sitwasyong nagaganap sa pamumuhay ng tao sa ibabaw ng mundo.

Mga Depinisyon ng Araling Panlipunan

Maganda ang kasaysayan ng Araling Panlipunan, di ba? Pero alam mo ba ang kahulugan ng Araling
Panlipunan bilang asignatura sa batayang edukasyon? Kung hindi pa, huwag kang mag-alala. Ipaliliwanag
sa iyo ng Aralin 1 ang kahulugan at katuturan ng Araling Panlipunan. Narito ang mga depinisyong bunga ng
masusing pag-aaral ng mga pangunahing edukador sa asignatura.

1. Ang Araling Panlipunan ay ang agham panlipunan (social sciences) na pinagaan para sa gawaing
pedagohikal (pedagogical) (Wesley, 1951).
2. Ang Araling Panlipunan ay bahagi ng kurikulum na nauukol sa pamamaraan ng pamumuhay ng
tao at ng kanyang kapwa sa panahong nagdaan, kasalukuyan at hinaharap (Lewenstern, 1981).
3. Ang Araling Panlipunan ay ang pag-aaral ng mga tao sa kanilang paguugnayan sa isa’t isa sa
mundo at sa prosesong kanilang ginagamit sa paglahok sa mga gawain, pakikipag-ugnayan at
talakayan (Schunks, 1981).
4. Ang Araling Panlipunan ay ang asignatura na ang layunin ay nakatuon sa global na
pagkamamamayan; hinahango ang mga aralin mula sa agham panlipunan, humanidades at
natural na agham; at itinuturo sa pamamaraang naglalahad ng personal, sosyal at kultural na
karanasan at yugto-yugtong kakayahan ng mga mag-aaral (Savage and Armstrong, 1981).
5. Ang Araling Panlipunan ay ang pag-aaral ng tao bilang taong sosyal (social being) sa kanyang
pamumuhay at pakikipag-interaksyon sa kapwa at sa kanyang kapaligiran sa isang panahon at

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Study Guide in EGE101 – Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Grades (Philippine History And Government) Module No. 1

lugar (Marsh, 1981).

6. Ang Araling Panlipunan ay ang integradong pag-aaral ng mga piling araling hinango sa agham
panlipunan (social sciences) at humanidades (humanities) para sa ikagagaling ng kakayahang
sibika (civic competencies) ng mga magaaral (National Council for the Social Studies, 1993).

Lahat ng mga nabanggit na depinisyon ng Araling Panlipunan ay tumutugon sa “vision statement” ng

National Council for the Social Studies noong 1995. Ipinahayag ito sa dalawang pangunahing hangarin
(goals). Una ay ang pangunawang panlipunan (social understanding); at ang ikalawa ay ang kagalingang
sibika (civic efficiency). Ganito ang nasasaad sa vision statement:

“Powerful social studies teaching helps develop social understanding and civic efficiency.”

Kayat masasabing ang pang-unawang panlipunan ay nauukol sa kaalaman sa daigdig ng tao; ang
kagalingang sibika naman ay tungkol sa kahandaan at kagustuhan sa pagsasagawa ng mga tungkulin sa
pagkamamamayan. Di ba’t sa simula pa, ang pangunahing hangarin ng Araling Panlipunan ay ang pagiging
mabuting mamamayan ng mga mag-aaral?

1.3 IMPORTANCE/RELEVANCE OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES (ARALING PANLIPUNAN)

According to National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS; 1994), the purpose of elementary school
social studies is to enable students to understand, participate in, and make informed decisions about their
world. Social studies content allows young learners to explain relationships with other people, to institutions,
and to the environment, and equips them with knowledge and understanding of the past. It provides them with
skills for productive problem solving and decision making as well as for assessing issues and making
thoughtful value judgments. Above all, it integrates these skills and understandings into a framework for
responsible citizen participation locally, nationally, and globally. The teaching and learning processes within
social studies are uniquely organized to develop these capacities, beginning with the youngest learners in our
schools.

The inclusion of Social Studies in the curriculum right from primary to secondary classes signifies the
importance of the subject and the role it plays in a student’s life. Social Studies is incorporated in the school
curriculum through a combination of subjects like – History, Geography, Cultural Studies, Economics, Political
Science, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, etc. These subjects help children to develop:

1. Awareness of The World and Environment

Lessons in Social Studies related to topics like – My Family, My Neighborhood, Community

Helpers, Early Man, Indus Valley Civilization, Modern Period in Indian History, The French Revolution,
Great World Leaders, etc teach students about the various civilizations, movements and renaissances
that occurred over the years. This knowledge enables the students to understand how the world and
different societies have evolved, the important events that have occurred in the past, enduring ideas and
eminent personalities that have created an impact and affected the lives of people both locally and
globally. It also helps students to understand how different societies are structured, managed and
governed. This in turn helps students to understand their place in the world.

Lessons such as – Our Earth, Solar System, Major Landforms, Water Resources, Natural
Vegetation and Wildlife Resources, Natural Disasters, Disaster Management, Pollution, enable students
to learn about – outer space, formation of different landforms; evolution of animals, flora, fauna and
man, water bodies, available resources, importance of conservation and preservation, environmental
impact on present life and future generations. This information helps students to eventually develop a
holistic understanding of their environment and the interrelationship which exists between the natural
and human habitats.

2. Helps to Develop Critical Thinking Abilities

Social Studies inculcate higher order thinking abilities and skills like – Comprehension,

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Study Guide in EGE101 – Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Grades (Philippine History And Government) Module No. 1

Application, Analysis, Evaluation and Synthesis, Creativity in students. Learning a variety of topics such
as – Natural Resources, Water Resources, Transport, Communication, Caste System, Political
Ideologies, Social Reformers, Our Cultures, United Nations, etc give students a chance to gain
appropriate information and data in various contexts. The information gained allows students to make
relevant observations, identify similarities and differences, make connections between related concepts,
ideas and resources. Appropriate experiences further enhance the students’ understanding about how
different things and people affect their day to day lives. For example – in order to investigate poverty in
the society, students require knowledge of subjects like – History, Economics and Politics. Students first
have to gain information and comprehend ideas such as discrimination, resource allocation and political
priorities. They then need to understand, analyze and evaluate the existing connections between those
ideas and theories to make sense of how poverty affects certain populations in the country. This
knowledge can be further put to use to foster creativity, if students are asked to think about ways or
come up with new solutions and policies which they think can help reduce poverty. They could be given
a chance to present their ideas in the form of debates, essays, role plays or class projects.

3. Helps to Enhance the Social Understanding of Students

Different topics included in the Social Studies curriculum for various age groups like –
Festivals of India, Different types of Families, Clothes We Wear, Food We Eat, Our Country, States of
India, My Community, Socio-Religious Reforms, Challenging the Caste System – help students to
observe, learn and understand human behavior, values and attitudes and the interrelationships which
exist among different people. They come to know about the different religions and cultures which exist in
the world other than their own. They also learn about the societal strata and norms of society and the
need of various governing bodies and other institutions. This in turn helps the students to develop a
wider perspective of society and the human condition.

Furthermore, learning about the different religions, social and cultural beliefs, castes and
creed, nationalities and ethnicity, values, languages, festivals, food and clothing, types of families, etc
makes students aware that the society they live in, is diverse and multicultural and yet there is
interdependence and inter-relatedness between different people, families, cultures, religions, and
countries. This helps students to recognize the benefits and challenges of living in a world with multiple
cultures and ideologies. This awareness helps them to understand the importance of democracy, rights
and freedoms and the fact that in order to live and coexist peacefully each and everyone needs to
respect, trust and balance the various opinions, values and attitudes, lifestyles, cultures and practices
and ideologies existing in society.

4. Helps Students to Become Better Citizens

Subjects in Social Studies like Economics, Political Science and History educate students on
Political Ideologies, Constitutional Laws, Citizenship, Rights and Duties, Morals and Virtues, Social
Code of Conduct, thus making children aware of their roles and responsibilities particularly in relation to
social and civic affairs. By providing relevant information and knowledge, skills and attitudes, the study
of Social Science prepares students to grow up as active, responsible, and reflective members of
society. It also teaches them to address societal and global concerns using literature, technology, and
other identifiable community resources.

Thus, we can conclude that incorporating Social Studies in the school curriculum ensures well-
rounded education of the students.

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Study Guide in EGE101 – Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Grades (Philippine History And Government) Module No. 1

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

GUIDE QUESTIONS

Name: ______________________________________ Course/Year/Section: ___________ Date: _________

Essay: Answer the following questions below briefly but precisely.

1. Based on the discussions on the nature of social studies, what should you emphasize in teaching social
studies? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why do students have difficulty to describe the concepts in social studies courses? Is this really a problem
for concept teaching?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. Do you, as a student value Social Studies as a subject? If yes, what is it about social studies that you find
important? If no, why not?
______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. In the future, who are you as a Social studies teacher? Write down your views about social studies teaching
and learning.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY

The significance of Social Studies to our lives cannot be overemphasized. As a Social studies teacher,
you play a very significant role in preparing our children to become lifelong learners, a quality that will enable
them to meet the challenges in this fast-changing world.

REFERENCES

K-12 Curriculum Guide for Social Studies

Teacher Induction Program Curriculum and Instructions Module 6.6 Ang Pagtuturo ng Araling Panlipunan

Dhandhania, B. T. (2016, November 28). The importance of Social Studies in the School curriculum. The
Progressive Teacher. http://www.progressiveteacher.in/the-importance-of-social-studies-in-the-school-
curriculum/

Powerful, Purposeful Pedagogy in Elementary School. (2016). Social Studies.

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https://www.socialstudies.org/position-statements/powerful-purposeful-pedagogy-elementary-school-social-
studies

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