Blogs at Penn State Community

Travis Hornack
Dynamic Social Studies

Maxim begins this chapter with a very intriguing story of fourth graders in Pennsylvania, whom successfully lobbied and obtained legislation for the Pennsylvania State insect. In reading this story I knew that Maxim was trying to show how important, how diverse, and how “alive” the area of social studies is. This story showed how with hard work and a goal, social studies is affected and can be affected by society every day. Children are also the main point of this story and are the main focus for “us” as teachers. Social Studies is an ideal topic for Children’s curiosity according to Maxim. I agree with him because social studies covers many areas and tells a story of “our” past. Maxim also hits on a key point when he talks about teachers professional skills mixed with personal qualities make for a good experience in social studies, because if the teacher is enthusiastic and enjoys the subject it is much easier for the children to also gain an interest in it (plus the kids can tell if your faking it).
Maxim goes on to talk about what social studies is and memories of the reader’s social studies experiences, but when he begins to explain the connection between social science and social studies is when I really started thinking about how “real” that is today. He starts off by talking about how up until 1916 the areas of study in elementary schools were, reading, writing, and arithmetic. In studying education today, I began to think of how that seems to be the trend coming back. This is because of government legislation, which ironically is a key part of social studies. Yes, of course, I am talking about the NCLB Act. In thinking about our government and schooling presently, I began to think what is next? With a new administration coming in, how much of social studies and history will change and what part will we, as elements of the system, play in this history-making era.
That line of thinking took me into Maxim’s next topics of why social studies is important, what part do we play in this system, and what is our goal as teachers of this subject area? Social studies is important because it is who and what we are as a society. It is our active duty and responsibility to discuss and participate in the social essence of our country. Maxim states, “The Preservation of our democracy depends upon a system of education that prepares its young people to accept responsibility in society, but today’s social commentators say we are failing that test” (Maxim 16,17), this stood out to me because it is very powerful in the sense of responsibility in preserving democracy is ours and how we are not taking this seriously. I think this is very true and it is the one flaw in the system. People do not take into consideration the people “speaking” for us in offices as much as they use to. Many people seem to vote the party and leave it at that. This is dividing our nation and more importantly this is irresponsible of our civic duty. In saying that I believe my goals for instruction at the elementary age would be by showing the students how they can make a difference and it is their duty to do so.