Why Kids Dont Like Social Studies

Date:
Name: Daniel Carter
Class/Subject: EDTL 2760 1001
8/27/2016
MR Title(s): Mark C. Schug, Robert J. Todd, and R. Berry, Why Kids Dont Like Social Studies
MR Source(s): Schug M., Todd R., Berry R. (1984. May). Why Kids Dont Like Social Studies. Social
Education, 382-387
The Text Says
I Say
Page #
Notes (key concepts, direct quotes, etc.)
My notes, commentary
#4

When students reflected upon their social

studies classes, they were unable to recall
quickly significant learning experiences like a
field trip, simulation game, or a class discussion
of a controversial issue. Instead, the student
remembered only a general type of subject
matter that was covered

This tells me that none of the kids have had an

exciting experience in their social studies class.
Without any excitement in the classroom social
studies probably never came to mind when asked
what their favorite class was. In a class without
excitement they have nothing to reflect on other than
general subject matter and how bland the class was.

#6

Earlier, when students were asked about what

they found to be interesting about social studies,
their responses overwhelmingly involved
references to social studies content rather than
teaching methods.

#6

The dominant reasons students preferred

their favorite courses to social studies were
that they provided more variety in instruction
and more opportunities for being successful

This is an exciting statement, the subject that was

considered one of the least enjoyable and with some
of the blandest teaching methods, students still
reference the content as most interesting. This shows
that there is still hope for the subject and if the student
is placed in environment with exciting teaching
methods as well it just might become one of the
students favorite subjects.
I can agree with the statement, if it wasnt for my love
for social studies as a subject I would probably mark
social studies down as one of my least favorite
classes to attend. Everyday class is about the same
as the day before just with a new topic and new busy
work, nobody wants to do that day in and day out until
test day just to have the cycle restart.

#5

The most frequent comments asked for more

group projects, field trips, class activities, role
plays and simulations, and class discussions, as
well as asking for more independent projects and
a greater role for the students in planning the
curriculum

Id have to agree that out of all my subjects the

teaching method in my general education social
studies was the poorest. (I had a much better
experience in my advanced classes) It seemed that
the teacher didnt even want to be teaching the
subject, many times they would just lecture bare
minimum content and only go into more depth if a
student asked.

I would absolutely agree to that statement, for the

most part social studies teachers are very bland with
students mentioned that the teachers
their teaching. It seemed we had our power point days
themselves need to improve by being more
where the teacher read the slides word for word as we
enthusiastic or being closer emotionally to their
are instructed not to do. If it wasnt that we are
students.
assigned a chapter and given a worksheet to complete
while the teacher would exclude themselves and
return to their desk leaving almost no personal
interaction with the students.
Connections to real life: The article made me think back and remember that once I came back into general ed. social
studies I havent really had a good experience. I found that even with my love for the subject I typically dreaded g oing
to my social studies class because I knew walking in the class that it was going to be slow, dry, and bland. An average
day I would put my head phones in and just start the never ending busy work. I can still think back to my freshman
year and my teacher Mr. Brewer, you could walk in on us any day of the week and find him in his desk reading while
the class was doing yet another work packet. Honestly if he didnt have so many sport posters up I couldnt tell you a
thing about him because he only talked during power points, directions of a packet, or directions of a test other than
that he was just waiting till retirement.
#6