As anelementary teacher, one of the challenges you may face in your curriculum planning is how to incorporate social studies or science in your weekly instruction. English language arts and mathematics tend to take a front seat in elementary curriculum planning because they are so critical in students' early academic development; however, social studies is a versatile subject and can be integrated with reading and writing instruction.

Site: "Powerful, Purposeful Pedagogy in Elementary School Social Studies" from the National Council for Social Studies.

Respond to the following questions:

• What is the purpose of teaching social studies education in elementary school?
• According to the article, social studies instruction should be meaningful, integrative, value-based, challenging, and active. What do each of these qualities look like in an elementary classroom?
• How can technology bring social studies to life and enhance your instruction?
• Review theCollege's Conceptual Framework. How does this topic link to the College's Conceptual Framework and the framework's philosophical relationship to effective teacher preparation?