ELIS 4801 - Teaching Social Studies in Grades 3-5
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 41924,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Crystal Ratican
Email: clratican@ysu.edu
Course Description
4801. Teaching Social Studies in Grades 3-5. Candidates focus on identifying and modeling developmentally appropriate strategies used for problem solving, communicating, and reasoning in elementary social studies for grade levels 3-5. Candidates create effective learning environments using content-specific pedagogy to make connections to stimulate students’ development of social studies concepts and skills in a diverse 3-5 classroom. Field hours required. Prereq.: TELS Upper Division Status, ELIS 3701, ELIS 3702, ELIS 3703, ELIS 3704. Coreq.: ELIS 4800, ELIS 4802, ELIS 4803, ELIS 4804. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Essentials of Elementary Social Studies (7th ed.). | III, W.B. R., & Waters, S. |
III, W.B. R., & Waters, S. (2025). Essentials of Elementary Social Studies (7th ed.). Taylor & Francis.
Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (2011). The understanding by design guide to creating high-quality units. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Chapter 1 | Course Introductions & Contemporary Elementary Social Studies | Discussion & Chapter 1 Quiz |
| 8/31 | Chapter 2; Social Studies Standards & Model Curriculum | Social Studies Standards & Model Curriculum | Chapter 2 Quiz & Content Corner (History) |
| 9/7 | Chapter 4 | Planning Social Studies Instruction | Classroom Management Interview & Chapter 4 Quiz |
| 9/14 | Chapter 5 | Assessment & Evaluation | Lesson Plan #1 Information, Chapter 5 Quiz, Content Corner (Government) |
| 9/21 | Chapter 6 | Reading & Writing in Social Studies | Lesson Plan #1: History or Government |
| 9/28 | Chapter 7 | Social Studies & Diverse Learners | Lesson Plan #2 Information, Chapter 7 Quiz, Content Corner (Geography) |
| 10/5 | Lesson Plans Note: Teach Lesson Plan #1 in Field | Lesson Plan #2 (Critical Task): Geography or Economics | |
| 10/12 | Chapter 8 Chapter 9 | Acquisition of Skills, Critical Thinking, & Problem Solving | Chapter 8 Quiz, Chapter 9 Quiz, Content Corner (Economics) |
| 10/19 | Chapter 3 | Decision-Making in Social Studies Note: Teach Lesson Plan #2 in Field | Discussion, Chapter 3 Quiz, and Content Corner assignment (completed) |
| 10/26 | Chapter 11 | Technology | AI Evaluation & Chapter 11 Quiz |
| 11/2 | Chapter 10 | Experiencing Social Studies & Local History | Chapter 10 Quiz & Resource Chart (Pt. 1) |
| 11/9 | History Websites | History Resources | Resource Chart (History) |
| 11/16 | Government Websites | Government Resources | Resource Chart (Government) |
| 11/23 | Geography Websites | Geography Resources | Resource Chart (Geography) |
| 11/30 | Economics Websites | Economics Resources | Resource Chart (Complete) |
| 12/7 | Course Conclusion |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.