Geography

I am so excited to get to be able to teach Geography. I had a great geography teacher in 7th grade who really sparked my interest in the subject. He always made it fun and interesting. One of the activities that I remember is creating a topographic map. It was a lot of fun. I think that all of the themes of Geography are important for students to learn. The movement theme shows how people interact with one another and the different types of areas where people live. The regions theme allows students to see how the world is divided and the different countries and continents that occupy Earth.  The human-environment interaction theme show students why areas are good for settlement and how the population impacts settlement. The location theme shows students their position here on Earth. The place theme shows the physical and human characteristics. Geography is a very interesting subject, and there are lots of ways to get students engaged in the subject.

Social Studies is Important

In my field placement classroom, the students do not get any Social Studies instruction.  The main focus during the day is on Language Arts and Mathematics. I feel that Social Studies is just as important as these two subjects. Social Studies exposes students to different cultures. They can learn about the different religions, beliefs, and practices of the many diverse people around the world. Students also learn how to read maps and use the map symbols. Students learn about history including the struggles of the past generations. Learning about the mistakes of former generations can help current students make better decisions. I feel like Social Studies instruction makes well rounded students, and I feel that it should be included in all classrooms. It should never be removed completely from the curriculum. Social Studies teaches students skills that they need to know in order to be global citizens.

Critical Voice

I feel that it is essential for all educators to develop a critical voice. I feel that it is very important that all classroom teachers have choices in the curriculum that they teach. I do not feel like teaching from only the textbook is the most effective way to educate students. I feel like using the textbook and supporting materials is the best approach. I hope that I can develop a critical voice that will allow me to stand up for the education of my students.  I want to be an advocate for better education, and I hope that I will have the courage to stand up for my students and their right to a quality education. Critical voice is imperative for all teachers. I truly want to be an advocate for my students and their rights. Critical voice is an important attribute that all teachers should have, but I know that it is a difficult skill because of the problems that it could cause with administrators and fellow teachers.