Using an Alternative Field Placement to Prepare Elementary Preservice Teachers for Social Studies Integration

• In Event: 45.094 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Seven - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 45.094-6 - Teaching Social Studies Teachers

Abstract

Social studies is decreasingly taught in elementary schools, and pre-service teachers often do not observe social studies instruction in field placements. This paper presents the findings of an instrumental case study with 10 elementary pre-service teachers (PST) examining how an alternative field placement, an integrated STEM summer camp, effected their dispositions toward integrating social studies into their instruction and analyzing the extent to which they integrated social studies with other disciplines during this placement. The findings suggest the alternative field placement increased the pre-service teachers’ confidence in integrating social studies into the curriculum. The experience expanded the PSTs’ understanding of social studies, yet there was variance in the depth to which the PSTs thoughtfully integrated social studies with other disciplines.

Author

• Sara Beth Demoiny, Auburn University