Section 26.350  Curriculum:  Social Science

The competent elementary teacher understands the interrelationships among the social sciences; uses concepts and modes of inquiry appropriate to history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and archaeology; and promotes all students' ability to make informed decisions as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society and interdependent world.

a)         Knowledge Indicators – The competent elementary teacher:

1)         understands the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States and the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for successful participation in civic life.

2)         understands the interrelationships of economic and political principles, concepts, and systems and their relationship to historical and contemporary developments in Illinois, the United States, and the world.

3)         understands from multiple perspectives the significant eras, themes, developments, and turning points in the history of Illinois, the United States, and the world.

4)         understands the interrelationships between people and their environment.

5)         understands geographic concepts and phenomena and their impact on Illinois, the United States, and the world.

6)         understands concepts related to the structure and organization of human societies and processes of socialization and social interaction.

7)         understands the implications of cultural heritage and diversity, as well as cohesion, within and across groups.

b)         Performance Indicators – The competent elementary teacher:

1)         demonstrates proficiency in the principles of social science.

2)         uses history and modes of inquiry to make informed decisions.

3)         uses literature for children and young adults to support learning in the social sciences.

4)         uses social science processes, skills, and concepts (e.g., gathering, organizing, mapping, interpreting, and analyzing information).

5)         models and teaches the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society.

6)         selects and uses a wide range of instructional resources and technologies to support learning in the social sciences.