ERIC Number: EJ762734
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Oct
Pages: 2
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0891-4508
EISSN: N/A
A Simulated Journey
Yoder, Lisa
Teaching Pre K-8, v37 n2 p60-61 Oct 2006
Students learn best when they interact with new information on a personal level. It is a challenge for teachers to tightly align student experiences with the standards assessed on high-stakes tests. To achieve this goal in social studies, the author has turned increasingly to simulations where students find such activities engaging, and their flexibility allows the connection of history standards with those in geography, civics and economics more easily than using textbook passages alone. As the author continues to devise simulations that bring social studies benchmarks to life, she keeps several guidelines in mind. Having the standards in front of her at all times helps focus each activity. She states that debriefing through direct teaching, discussion and assignments is necessary so that her students will process what they have experienced. Thus, she has found that referring to the simulation allows students to apply what they have learned in a meaningful way and shows them that knowledge builds upon itself.
Descriptors: Social Studies, High Stakes Tests, State Standards, Academic Standards, Standardized Tests, History Instruction, Geography, Class Activities, Computer Simulation
Teaching Pre K-8 Magazine. Editorial and Publishing Office, 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854. Tel: 800-678-8793; Fax: 203-855-2656; e-mail: mail@teachingk-8.com; Web site: http://www.teachingk-8.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A