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social studies
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What is social studies, really? This might be a really dumb question but I just don’t know what it really means. Also, does it mean something different at different education levels?
Well, it actually doesn’t mean a lot at all. LOL It’s a “progressive education” term from several years ago that stuck. It was invented by progressive educators who thought memorizing history, geography “et al” was too hard and kids ought to learn instead what the friendly neighborhood policeman does.
A lot of homeschoolers pay no attention at all to the term. I don’t. I do NOT teach any “social studies.” I DO teach courses in history, geography, civics, government, philosophy, economics, citizenship. Where it lists on my mandatory homeschool forms what I teach for “social studies” I list whatever we are doing that fits well–history, geography. And my kids have always done pretty well on the “social studies” portions of standardized tests. Mostly because they have outstanding historical and geographical knowledge, and it doesn’t take much to be able to answer those pesky questions about the friendly neighborhood policeman. (My 11 yo came to me in hysterics after finishing his Iowa testing section to tell me there was a question something about “Which professional should you call if your house is on fire? Policeman? Doctor? Telephone repairman? (What is that? he asked me!) Or Fireman? LOL We pretty much ignore this “subject” as well. Just one idea: if you really NEED to incorporate this subject into your homeschool, take a field trip to the fire station, police station, animal rescue center, vet clinic, or other place in that category and list it in your homeschool social studies records. We’ve never taken these field trips(not that we won’t eventually), but I’m pretty sure my kids know who to call if our house is on fire!
Yes! We ignore it too and just teach history, geography, etc. I think my kids aren’t damaged as a result. 🙂
We did take a trip to the fire station last year and my kids really enjoyed that.
A lot of homeschoolers pay no attention at all to the term. I don’t. I do NOT teach any “social studies.” I DO teach courses in history, geography, civics, government, philosophy, economics, citizenship. Where it lists on my mandatory homeschool forms what I teach for “social studies” I list whatever we are doing that fits well–history, geography. And my kids have always done pretty well on the “social studies” portions of standardized tests. Mostly because they have outstanding historical and geographical knowledge, and it doesn’t take much to be able to answer those pesky questions about the friendly neighborhood policeman. 
(My 11 yo came to me in hysterics after finishing his Iowa testing section to tell me there was a question something about “Which professional should you call if your house is on fire? Policeman? Doctor? Telephone repairman? (What is that? he asked me!) Or Fireman? LOL 
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