The understanding of social studies

The understanding of social studies is important both to the teachers and
student for meaningful Social Studies instruction. The subject is increasingly
vital in helping to create individuals who are active dynamic participants in our
society. This view of Social Studies raises the problem of the organization of its
interrelated components and how to make students become conscious of the
underlying forces that make up its elements and other related phenomena. There
is therefore the need to select appropriate strategies that will facilitate all round
development in the cognitive, effective and psychomotor domains of the
students. It is obvious that no single method of learning can adequately fit all
learning situation. However, there is no best method of teaching Social Studies
but combination of the other method would definitely help in achieving the
desired instructional objectives. Some methods of teaching Social Studies
include, stimulation, laboratory, inquiry, project, dramatizations, questions and
answer, field-trips, discussion, lecture, problem-solving, dramatization, home
assignment and construction methods. Learning can be less tedious and more
functional, if efforts are made to identify and make extensive use of available
instructional, resources both material and human. The selection and decision on
appropriate resources should be based on the student’ age, ability and interest.
The wide range of resources include textbooks, newspapers, pictures and charts,
maps, models, real object resource centres, audio-visual devices, chalkboard and
flannel graph. When the school instructional material are available, they must be
well organize and administered for effective use.