facts vs. concepts

"It has been suggested that teachers often teach facts and information, rather than concepts and ideas, in social studies.  Why do you think this might be the case?  What can you suggest to improve the conceptual aspect of lesson planning?"  (Ellis, 2010, p. 147)

Teachers might often teach facts and information, rather than concepts and ideas in social studies because these teachers do not effectively plan.  Rather than simply teaching facts and randomly covering a textbook, teachers plans should

1. Help them think about what needs to be accomplished and why
2. Guide them and their students through experiences in much the same way a map guides a traveler
3. Provides a frame of reference for deciding to what extent the experience was meaningful

 (Ellis, 2010, p. 120)

Teaching is a tough job and requires a lot of effort.  Picking up a textbook covering key facts, dates, and people does not.  Rote memorization of these facts will not lead to long-term retention, but short-term retention for tests.  Instead of memorizing, teacher should focus on helping students learn content, concepts, skills, and values.  The overall picture is far-more important than the minute details.

Integrated units are a good way to make activities and lessons relevant to students.  This relevance will be the most important motivator for students to learn the material.  When more than one subject is taught at the same time (i.e. social studies and language arts) more focus is put on grande concepts rather than tiny details.  Instead of making a timeline of the events that took place in the Civil War, students could write a story about what a day in the life might have been like for a soldier in the Civil War.

Interdisciplinary lessons and units certainly seems like the most logical option not only because it forces students and teachers to focus on concepts rather than facts, but also because the NCSCOS is so vast, it is impossible to teach it all.  The more a teacher can connect and relate subjects together in his or her teaching, the better!