Two-Column Notes

Date:
Name: Cassie Brown
8/30/201
6

Page #

Class/Subject: EDTL 4760

MR Title(s): Best Practices for Social Studies (TCI Approach)

MR Source(s): Bring Learning Alive
The Text Says
I Say
Notes (key concepts, direct quotes, etc.)
My notes, commentary

Pg. 2

Teachers may fall back on a straight text

book approach-read the chapter, answer
the questions at the end-unfortunately
resulting in many students who find social
studies boring.

Pg. 6

Teachers need to teach that social studies

concepts affect not only the past, but
students lives today.

Many students that have experienced this type

of education may not realize why teachers have
reverted back to this method of teaching. This
type of conservative teaching is pressured
because of state testing but it also should
prompt teachers to try to be creative in a
different way. With the elimination of
differentiated instruction, many students are
not reaching their learning potential. If
standardized testing is keeping teachers from
being creative, ultimately, it seems as though
testing should be deemed ineffective at a state
and federal level.
The relevance of history is something social
studies educators often struggle with conveying
to their students. With study material that is
focused on the past, it is difficult for students to
see why it is supposed to matter. It is the
responsibility of the educator to make
connections between the past and the present.
Events such as the labor movement is
extremely relevant today as people fought and
died for better working conditions, the eight

Pg. 10

The typical classroom contains a broad

range of abilities.

hour work day, and the right to unionize. The

same could be said for the civil rights
movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Events that
have changed society for the better not only
show how much better the living standard is
but it also can be used as an example for how
to make necessary changes in society.
The key phrase to be noted from this quote is
typical classroom. It notes that while you are
a general education teacher, you will still have
students with various needs and learning
capabilities. Even though an educator isnt
specialized in some field of special education,
there is much to learn about their students and
their needs. It is perhaps the main reason that
differentiated instruction should be integrated
into each lesson plan. An educator that may be,
for example, heavy on lecturing is neglecting to
give each student the same learning
experience. Multiple intelligences are found
throughout a single classroom and should be
accommodated to create a successful learning
environment.

Connections to previous MR: In the previous MR, there was discussion of a powerful introduction or
hook. It is important not only to get the attention of students at the start of a lesson but at the same
time, an educator is appealing to multiple intelligences. The creativity put into a lesson can not only

work as an engagement tool but to speak to those different learning styles throughout a classroom.
Particularly in a long unit, the hook for each day should not only re-cap what had been learned the
previous day, but also to engage students. Students that are provided with a lesson plan involving
multiple intelligences benefit greatly from their learning experience.

The most prevalent aspect of the syllabus that includes the TCI approach is the guidelines for the Media Reactions. There are multiple
forms in which these reactions can be completed and even offers to create an alternative creative assignment that is not listed. Particularly
with an assignment that is done consistently throughout the semester, the option to complete the assignment in various forms is a great way
to add creativity to homework. Beyond this creative option, students will most likely be able to have creative control in their LSO assignment.
A suggestion that I would have for the syllabus would be to perhaps have more bulleted points for those that dont do well with large
paragraphs of information.