But you are right, I'm afraid.

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But you are right, I'm afraid.
By Carolyn

The only other thing I can add to this is that I don't drive myself crazy trying to teach all of that social studies. I know I am responsible by state mandate to teach American history from the earliest civilizations in
North and South America to the present, but how can you do that when you aren't even teaching social studies every day?
Our state tests science, math, and reading. Not social studies. And I can't even find the time to teach social studies every day. In the morning I teach math and LA, the two most important. By lunchtime, the kids basically think the day is over. I teach science

as soon as they get back from lunch and do my best to make sure that there activities which can keep them mentally alert (not just writing notes to each other and talking, but paying attention and acting involved). After that, for sure the kids tune out when you try to do social studies, no matter how motivating I try to make it. Of course, there is guidance class and computer class (just starting up this year) to fit in, too. Our assembly programs always seem to occur in the afternoons, too. There's too much curriculum and too little time to teach it in. No wonder the scores don't always meet up with expectations.