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- that all students can achieve academically.
- that flexibility in planning and executing classroom activities is crucial to maintaining students interest in the subject and their focus on assigned tasks. An engaged student is seldom disruptive and is more likely to achieve academically.
- that collaborating with colleagues and seeking input from students is key to developing successful alternative approaches to content and assessment. An appropriate level of student involvement in lesson planning can be especially effective in breaking down barriers to learning.
- that reading and writing are essential skills in all content areas, fostering students growth as critical thinkers and their sense of membership in an intellectual community.
- that students benefit immensely from field trips and other hands-on experiences.
- that the wealth of teaching tools available from increased access to primary sources to the latest in digital technologymake todays classroom a more effective learning environment than ever.
- that assessments should be authentic, foster further learning experiences, and take into account students individual educational profiles.
- that classroom behavioral expectations should reflect societys basic rules for responsible and respectful behavior. Students should experience positive and negative consequences for their actions.
- that students experience of school academically and sociallyis fundamental to their sense of being valued by and contributing to society. As an educator, I have an obligation to ensure a safe and supportive classroom and school environment for all students.
As a social studies teacher, I believe:
- that the social studies curriculum must include both content and skills, and must not be subject to the whims of what is popular in public opinion.
- that the content and skills taught in social studies assist young people in preparing for independent adult life by providing the tools for good decision-making that will help them to become better citizens and consumers.
- that social studies supports and enriches student understanding in other academic disciplines ranging from literature to math to foreign language to the fine arts to the hard sciences.
- keeping up with the current academic research in my field can help sustain my interest and that of my students.
- that the social, economic, religious, political, and cultural contexts of students own lives contributes greatly to learning opportunities in social studies.
- that social studies, as a key to understanding the world around us, is a fundamental component in every students education. All students should take social studies every year grades K-12.
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