Preserving Elementary Social Studies Through Integrated Instruction

Abstract

The goal of this project is to evaluate the merits of implementing integrated instruction at the elementary level. A particular focus is the use of social studies concepts to organize integrated instruction around significant problems or issues. This is considered as a valuable instructional approach for combatting the marginalization of social studies and other non-tested subjects in elementary classrooms due to the pressures of No Child Left Behind.This investigation includes a description of concept-based integrated instruction,an examination of elementary social studies in the current educational climate, and a discussion of the benefits that integrated instruction affords students and teachers. An integrated fifth grade unit on immigration, "Coming to America", helps serve to bring the discussion of integrated instruction from the theoretical to the practical.