What are the attributes of meaningful, well-planned social studies lesson?

Okay let me first climb on my soapbox...it takes a second stretching still hurts. Alright am I one the right on...oh yes "Social Studies" is written upon it. I guess it is safe to begin.

Throughout my many years in the field of history I would often see people cringe when they asked me what I did and I would say I was a historian or curator. Often times the cringer would follow up with the obligatory, "I hated social studies/history in school. It was always so boring and who cares what dates happened when. How could you like it?" Of course I would just reply that I always loved history and move along with a smile.

When I was in the classroom. student teaching, I always dreaded that groan, usually from students and teachers alike, that Social Studies is met with once it is mentioned. Granted I may be impartial when it comes to having a love of social studies but I truly believe that although every student may not walk into my classroom with a love of social studies it is my duty to make it so that they do not dread the subject and maybe even in the end spark an interest in a topic of social studies.

Social studies does not need to be boring. It is not blank maps that need to be filled in or a timeline that need exact dates at all points. Granted those names on the maps are important and those dates on the timeline need some sort of correct order but it does not need to be done in a fill in the blank, memorize, and drill type of teaching. Instead social studies can be integrated throughout the curriculum, lessons can be hands on learning, exploring and discovering. A well-planned social studies lesson should include an engaging introduction in order to hook students in and spark their curiosity about the subject. It should have an element of exploration and discovery for the class to start together, expand on individually or in small groups, and then come back together to discuss. The lesson should encourage students to reflect on what they have discovered and/or explored and ask questions to develop a deeper understanding of the topic they are studying,

Not every student will like social studies, not every teacher will find it to be their favorite part of the curriculum to teach but it can be enjoyable and if the teacher goes in with a positive attitude and prepared with a well composed lesson, ready with materials then all the students should walk away having learning something, as well as, having had a positive experience with social studies.