Clinical Reflection:
My social studies lesson was the last lesson I taught at Pitts School Road Elementary. Science and social studies are rotated in 2nd grade at this particular school, and science was being taught while I was there. Luckily my cooperating teacher allowed me to work this lesson in place of a science lesson. My initial plan was to teach the Presidential election considering this was just days before the election would take place. However, I found matching it up to a 2nd grade social studies standard was difficult. I also had difficulty finding resources suitable for hooking the attention of such young children. I opted to teach them about the President’s Cabinet instead. I had the aid of the book, The Presidents Helpers. This was a short and concise book that overviewed the members of the cabinet and their responsibilities.
The lesson itself went well; the book was a short and interesting enough read to keep their attention. The kids were able to relate the responsibilities to their lives, and they were able to work well together with their reading partner. I felt good about this lesson. I was loosened up after teaching my previous lessons, which were tough. It helps that I love social studies over everything else, and enjoy teaching it.
If this were my classroom, this lesson would be part of ongoing lessons, getting the students ready for the election. I think it would be great if they could watch the news coverage with their parents and be educated viewers. With a little work, I think they could out perform their parents on knowledge of the Government. If I had it to do over again, I would use the same lesson, but prepare better for students who finish early. I feel like I dealt with it well enough, but I do acknowledge it was a flaw in my lesson. I would also like to have more time, but that is the reality of social studies at the elementary level.
My social studies lesson was the last lesson I taught at Pitts School Road Elementary. Science and social studies are rotated in 2nd grade at this particular school, and science was being taught while I was there. Luckily my cooperating teacher allowed me to work this lesson in place of a science lesson. My initial plan was to teach the Presidential election considering this was just days before the election would take place. However, I found matching it up to a 2nd grade social studies standard was difficult. I also had difficulty finding resources suitable for hooking the attention of such young children. I opted to teach them about the President’s Cabinet instead. I had the aid of the book, The Presidents Helpers. This was a short and concise book that overviewed the members of the cabinet and their responsibilities.
The lesson itself went well; the book was a short and interesting enough read to keep their attention. The kids were able to relate the responsibilities to their lives, and they were able to work well together with their reading partner. I felt good about this lesson. I was loosened up after teaching my previous lessons, which were tough. It helps that I love social studies over everything else, and enjoy teaching it.
If this were my classroom, this lesson would be part of ongoing lessons, getting the students ready for the election. I think it would be great if they could watch the news coverage with their parents and be educated viewers. With a little work, I think they could out perform their parents on knowledge of the Government. If I had it to do over again, I would use the same lesson, but prepare better for students who finish early. I feel like I dealt with it well enough, but I do acknowledge it was a flaw in my lesson. I would also like to have more time, but that is the reality of social studies at the elementary level.