Two-Column Notes

Date:
08/24/20
16

Page #

Name: Samantha Hamski

Class/Subject: EDTL 2760

MR Title(s): Mark C. Shug, Robert J. Todd, R. Berry, Why Kids Dont Like Social
Studies
MR Source(s): Schug, M., Todd, R., & Beery. R. (1984). Why kids don't like social studies. Social
Education, 48(5), 382-387.
The Text Says
I Say
Notes (key concepts, direct quotes, etc.)
My notes, commentary

47

Young people dont think social studies is

important/interesting and we should listen
to them for ways to make them think
differently about it.

50

Several questions were asked about which

class the students liked best and why they
liked it better than social studies, etc. A
majority of the results were that students
can use the other subjects more often
later in life for jobs.

50

More care needs to be taken to tell

students why social studies is important.

While I think social studies is completely

interesting, after reading this article I can see
why young people think it is not as important
or less interesting than other topics. I believe
we need to make history interesting for the
children so we should try many ways to get
this to happen. Listening to the kids ideas
would be a great idea in my opinion.
There are many more math and science
related jobs in the world than social studies
related jobs. I can see where the students are
coming from with that opinion but they need to
understand, although it may sound clich, that
those who do not know history are condemned
to repeat it. History is a huge part of life even
after high school and college. Social Studies
classes can help you with your knowledge of
the world, the government, the economy,
geography and SO much more!
I agree that many social studies teachers just
teach the lessons and do not stress to their

52

Many students say social studies is boring

and there is a lack of variety in teaching
methods.
The pattern of studies responses clearly
suggests that more active learning
experiences and greater variety in
teaching methods are ways social studies
instruction could be improved.

students WHY social studies is important. This

is something that definitely needs to be fixed
because as soon as young people see why
social studies is important, they may become
more interested in learning about it.
It is true. Too often social studies teachers put
up a power point slide show on the board,
have the students take notes, have a quiz,
then a test and then repeat. Social studies is
so interesting and could be taught in so many
interactive ways that students would actually
enjoy.

Connections to previous MR: I had a very good experience with all of my Social Studies teachers while I
attended Jefferson schools. When I was in 9th grade I had a teacher that taught World History and made
it extremely interesting. She is a big reason why I want to become a Social Studies teacher and during
my first week at Bowling Green I thought about her every day. I am striving to be like her.
I believe the authors findings because she provided a plentiful amount of research and gave several
different opinions.