ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to help teachers see why social studies are needed in the elementary school. It suggests an overall approach to elementary social studies curriculum and teaching of the curriculum. To understand social studies, first understand the purpose that it serves in the total school curriculum. Social studies in the elementary school have most often been regarded as a subject that should be taught— but only if time allows. The purpose of elementary school social studies is to enable students to understand, participate in, and make informed decisions about their world. The responsibility of social studies is to prepare young people to identify, understand, and work to solve problems of an interdependent world. Society is changing rapidly, teaching social studies are even more of a challenge today than it was in the past. Teachers really need to think about different approaches to teaching social studies.
