Teaching Approaches

in Secondary Social
Studies
WEEK 1
PROF. ALMA NICA DELMO MALLEON
 A. DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN SOCIAL
SCIENCE AND
SOCIAL STUDIES
 What is Social Science?
Social science is the academic field that studies human society
Definition
and the relationships among individuals within a society.

Seeks to understand how society functions through systematic

Purpose
research, data analysis, and theoretical frameworks.

Nature of
Empirical, evidence-based, and analytical.
Study

Uses scientific methods such as surveys, experiments,

Methods
observations, and statistical analysis to derive conclusions.
 Branches of Social Science
Study of human Studies physical
evolution, behavior, environments and how
culture, and social people interact with
institutions. them.
Anthropology Geography

Analyzes and interprets

Examines material
past events and their
remains to study past
impact on the present
human life and societies.
and future.
Archeology History

Focuses on production,
distribution, and Understanding of legal
consumption of goods and systems, rights, and justice.
services.
Economics Law
 Branches of Social Science

Scientific study of Studies the mind and

language and its behavior, both individual
structure. and collective.
Linguistics Psychology

Studies political
Examines social groups,
institutions, institutions, patterns, and
government systems, relationships in society.
Political Science public policies, and Sociology
political behavior.
 What are Social Studies?
Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and
Definition humanities, focused on promoting civic competence and preparing students
to be active, informed citizens.

Combines knowledge from history, geography, political science,

Components
economics, anthropology, sociology, and humanities.

• Helps students understand how society functions and their roles in it.
Purpose • Aims to foster responsible decision-making, critical thinking, and
cultural awareness.
• Taught mainly in elementary and secondary education.
Application • Emphasizes inquiry-based learning, debates, simulations, and real-world
problem-solving.

To create informed, thoughtful, and responsible citizens in a democratic

Goal
society.
 Key Differences between Social
Science and Social Studies
Aspect Social Science Social Studies
Focuses on analyzing society and Aims to develop civic competence
1. Purpose social interactions through specific
by integrating knowledge from social
academic disciplines sciences and humanities
Stream-oriented; involves in-depth,Integrated study of various
2. Orientation systematic study of each branch disciplines to promote effective
using scientific methods citizenship
Observation-based; encourages
Empirical; relies on data gathering,
3. Methodology students to explore, investigate, and
analysis, and scientific deduction
make decisions
4. Educational Taught primarily in higher education Commonly taught in elementary and
Level (colleges and universities) secondary schools
Studies the structure, behavior, and Combines social science and
5. Core Focus functions of human societies and humanities to understand societal
groups dynamics and responsibilities
 Key Differences between Social
Science and Social Studies
Aspect Social Science Social Studies
Concerned with inference, Covers all phases of society to
6. Scope of
research, and solving social issues promote understanding and
Study
to aid societal development participation in civic life
Broad term describing the study
Scientific discipline that explores
7. Definition of human behavior and
human groups and their social life
interaction across time and space
Divided into specific disciplines Divided broadly into two
8. Divisions like anthropology, sociology, categories: humanities and social
economics, etc. sciences
Emerged more recently in the
9. Historical Originated in the 18th century
20th century as an educational
Development Enlightenment period
curriculum concept
 Importance of Studying Social
Sciences
Understanding
Offers insights into how individuals and societies think, feel, and act.
Human Behavior
Problem-Solving
Helps develop solutions for challenges like poverty, inequality, conflict, and
for Societal
education.
Issues
Policy and
Informs public policy, governance, and law-making.
Governance

Career Prepares students for professions in law, economics, education,

Preparation government, and international relations.

Transferable Teaches research skills, critical thinking, argumentation, and communication—

Skills valuable across all careers.

Global Helps understand and respond to globalization, multiculturalism, and global

Relevance interdependence.
 Importance of Studying Social
Studies
Civic Teaches students about democracy, rights, responsibilities, and
Education participation.
Cultural Promotes understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures
Awareness and histories.
Real-world Connects school subjects to societal issues like elections,
Application climate change, and justice.
Informed
Empowers students to make reasoned choices and engage in
Decision-
meaningful civic activities.
Making
Historical Helps students see the present in the light of the past and
Perspective understand how history shapes current events.
 Conclusion
While social science and social studies are related, they
serve different functions:
•Social sciences are academic disciplines that study society with scientific rigor.
•Social studies integrate these disciplines for the educational development of
civic-minded citizens.

Both are essential:

•Social sciences generate knowledge to improve society.
•Social studies apply that knowledge to educate future generations.

Together, they support a society where critical thinking,

informed decision-making, and active citizenship are valued
and practiced.
 B. The ‘New’
Social Studies: its
salient features
 Aim and Purpose of Social
Studies
• To develop informed, responsible, and active citizens in a
democratic society.
• To equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to
understand human society and how it operates.
• To prepare students to interact respectfully and effectively
in a culturally diverse environment.
• To cultivate moral and civic virtues, including fairness,
justice, and equality.
• To promote national identity and global awareness through
understanding of social, political, economic, and historical
contexts.
 Social Studies in the 21st
Century
• Reflects real-world relevance by connecting academic
knowledge with current social, economic, and political issues.
• Encourages global citizenship by helping students engage
with diverse cultures and communities.
• Prepares learners for the digital and globalized world,
promoting media literacy and critical evaluation of sources.
• Empowers students to think critically, communicate effectively,
and collaborate across differences.
• Focuses on interdisciplinary integration, combining history,
geography, economics, political science, sociology, and
anthropology.
 The Importance of Social Studies in
the School Curriculum

• Equips students with the tools to understand social systems

and function within them.
• Prepares students to work and live in a diverse, multicultural
society.
• Teaches the importance of community participation, civic
duty, and public discourse.
• Helps students understand the interconnectedness of
human experiences across time and place.
• Develops the foundation for lifelong learning and civic
engagement.
8 Reasons: Why Is
Social Studies
Important for
Students?
 1. Better Reading and Learning

•Encourages reading in context,

boosting comprehension and
retention.
•Promotes analytical skills and
supports cross-curricular learning
(especially with ELA and writing).
 2. Citizen Responsibilities and
Values
•Teaches the role and responsibility of
individuals in a democratic society.
•Provides an understanding of
government, rights, laws, and civic
duties.
•Instills ethical values such as respect,
justice, and responsibility.
 3. Cultural Understanding

•Introduces students to diverse

cultures and belief systems.
•Promotes tolerance, empathy, and
global awareness.
•Reduces prejudice and helps build
inclusive communities.
 4. Economic Education

•Introduces basic concepts like supply

and demand, trade, and budgeting.
•Teaches the impact of personal financial
decisions on individual and societal
levels.
•Encourages entrepreneurial and
economic literacy.
 5. Critical Thinking

•Develops the ability to analyze,

synthesize, and evaluate information.
•Encourages the examination of
historical events and social issues
from multiple perspectives.
•Enhances problem-solving and
decision-making skills.
 6. Real-World Understanding

• Provides knowledge about current events,

geography, and global interdependence.
• Fosters awareness of local and global
challenges such as poverty, conflict, and
climate change.
• Helps students interpret and navigate
complex societal issues.
 7. Political Skills

•Builds understanding of government

systems, ideologies, and political
processes.
•Encourages informed political
participation (e.g., voting, activism).
•Trains students in debate, discourse,
and policy analysis.
 8. Respect for History

• Helps students understand the roots of

modern society through historical context.
• Emphasizes learning from the past to
inform present and future actions.
• Builds national identity and pride, while
recognizing historical challenges and
growth.
Making Sense of
the World: Social
Studies for Young
Students
• Starts as early as kindergarten, building
foundational concepts of self, community, and the
wider world.
• Teaches basic social skills such as
communication, cooperation, and empathy.
• Instills early awareness of civic responsibility and
diversity.
• Introduces concepts like rules, fairness, and group
decision-making in age-appropriate ways.
• Emphasizes experiential and inquiry-based
learning to spark curiosity and engagement.
C. Rationale of the
New Social
Studies
 Purpose of the Social Studies
Curriculum
• Develop students into active, informed citizens.
• Equip learners with:
• Knowledge of history, geography, politics, economics, and society.
• Skills in analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
• Competencies for civic engagement and decision-making.
• Emphasize student-driven learning:
• Students build their own understanding.
• Engage in inquiry-based learning using open-ended questions.
• Analyze, debate, and explore both historical and contemporary
issues.
 Nature and Scope of Social
Studies

Interdisciplinary by design:
•Core disciplines: History, Geography, Political Science,
Economics.
•Supporting disciplines: Sociology, Psychology,
Anthropology.

Unified focus on:

•Human activity and behavior.
•Interaction between humans and their environment.
 Disciplinary Thinking Skills in
Social Studies
Emphasis on 6 major thinking concepts:
• Significance – What makes an event/person important?
• Evidence – What sources are trustworthy?
• Continuity and Change – What has changed, what has
stayed the same?
• Cause and Consequence – What triggered an event?
• Perspective – How do different groups view the same
event?
• Ethical Judgment – What’s fair or just?
 Relevance in the Information
Age
Addresses the challenges of information
overload:
• Teaches students to evaluate the credibility of
sources.
• Encourages critical thinking and informed
decision-making.
• Enhances skills in problem-solving, research,
and communication.
 Beyond the Classroom

Skills learned in Social Studies are useful for:

• College programs.
• Careers in law, public service, business, education,
and research.
Students will:
• Conduct research (quantitative and qualitative).
• Interpret data and create presentations.
• Work with maps, graphs, charts, and statistics.
 Citizenship and Identity

• Students explore their own values, beliefs,

and identity.
Encouraged to:
• Be open-minded and respectful of different
views.
• Stay informed on public issues.Take civic
action responsibly.
 Research
Foundations in
Social Studies
Education
 Path 1: Teacher Education’s
Influence on Teaching

• Focuses on how preservice training affects teacher

decisions.
• Emphasis on:
• Teachers' conceptions of history and best
practices.
• Building content and pedagogical knowledge.
• Limitation: Often lacks awareness of classroom
realities and pressures.
 Path 2: High-Stakes Testing and
Teaching Decisions

• Examines how state-mandated exams influence

instruction.
• Some teachers:
• Adjust methods to focus on passing tests.
• Others maintain student-centered, purpose-driven
teaching.
• Conclusion: Teachers with clear rationales stay
committed to meaningful teaching.
 Path 3: First-Year Teacher
Decision-Making

• New teachers often:

• Abandon innovative strategies due to
curriculum pressure and classroom
management challenges.
• Studies show:
• A need for teacher education programs to
develop clear teaching purposes in future
teachers.
 The Role of Teacher Educators

• Must model rationale-based practices.

• Should make teaching purposeful and reflective.
• Encourage teacher candidates to:
• Develop and refine personal teaching rationales.
• Bridge theory and practice effectively.
• Notable scholars:
• Hansen (2008) – Articulating educational purpose fosters reflection.
• Loughran (2006) – Balance theory (university) and practice (schools).
• Dinkelman (2009) – Teacher educators must model the process
themselves.
 Four Major Rationales of Social
Studies
1. Social Initiation Rationale
Purpose: To initiate students into society.
Focus: Transmit knowledge, skills, and values to
become productive members of society.
2. Social Reformation Rationale
Purpose: To empower students to improve or
transform society.
Focus: Critical thinking, activism, and social justice.
 Four Major Rationales of Social
Studies
3. Personal Development Rationale
Purpose: To help students develop as individuals and social
beings.
Focus: Growth of character, talent, and personal identity.
Not necessarily aimed at social reform or preservation.
4. Academic Understanding Rationale
Purpose: To introduce students to the disciplines of the social
sciences.
Focus: Knowledge structures and methods of inquiry in fields like
history, economics, and political science.