http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/1621626

Social Studies in the Open Classroom: A Practical Guide

This booklet offers practical suggestions for implementing and planning social studies programs in the open classroom. Emphasis is on helping students become active and involved learners in an environment in which the concept of education is viewed as a social experience. An introductory chapter cautions the teacher to carefully consider the goals of the social studies program before making decisions. The first section, How to Begin, discusses the physical arrangement of the classroom by stressing that a variety of factors, such as room size and the number of children, affect the possibilities and decisions about room arrangements. Other sections explain techniques to use in developing the program. A section on audiovisual activities discusses aids for use with unsupervised groups. The section on research skills suggests topics ranging from the familiar (family) to the unknown (international). Blueprints, scale drawing, and mapping of local landmarks are used to develop map study skills. For language arts and communication, skills are ways of exploring communication media, poetry, dramatic play, and commercial social studies games. The guide lists easily obtainable "art cart" materials and suggests projects for individuals and groups. Emphasis is given to role-playing as a technique to develop problem-solving skills, and "expanding horizons" are encouraged through field trips, community resource people, and exploration of the class' cultural diversity. (Av).

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