My Philosophy on Teaching Social Studies:

When approaching the subject of Social Studies, I believe that lessons and activities should entail teaching more along the lines of social history.  In other words, I think Social Studies should involve the study of the everyday lives of those in a society and not just the leaders.  This includes women's history, African-American history, labor history, etc.  In addition, I feel teachers and educators should try to use non-traditional sources, such as songs, oral history, folktales, etc.

National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Standards:

The Purpose of Social Studies according to NCSS: Social Studies educators teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy.