Social Studies 2014
Presenter: Lindsey Cermak, Minnesota Literacy Council
To walk away with resources, ideas, and
examples of teaching strategies for preparing learners for 2014
To learn about the key instructional shifts
NOT to spend the whole time talking about the content of the new test
Objectives
Format/Content Basics
Development of Modern Liberties and Democracy
Dynamic Responses in Societal Systems
Civics and Government
United States History
Economics Geography and the World
Civics and Government
U.S. History
Economics
Geography and the World
20%
15%
15%
50%
80%
65 Minutes Multiple Choice (approximately 50%) Fill-in-the-blank Hot Spot Drag and Drop
25 Minutes Extended Response
Item Types
90 minutes35 items
44 raw points
Understand Central Ideas and Supporting Information Summarize Ideas Make Inferences Make Generalizations Based on Evidence Follow a Sequence Interpret Cause and Effect Draw Conclusions Analyze Author’s Point of View Compare and Contrast Ideas Differentiate Facts from Opinion and Speculation Evaluate Relevance and Sufficiency of Information Determine the Purpose of a Text
Critical Thinking Skills
Interpret Charts and Tables Use Bar Graphs to Make Comparisons See Trends in Line Graphs Relate Parts of a Whole in Circle Graphs Work with Data and Probability Figure Out Diagrams Interpret Maps for Meaning Analyze Editorial Cartoons
Data and Graphic Skills
Find Range, Mean, Median, Mode Determine the Probability of Single
Event Determine the Probability of Dependent
Events Use the Calculator with Data Problems
Math Skills
Analyze Arguments and
Supporting Ideas Counter arguments
Develop an Idea or Argument Develop a Progression of Ideas Maintain Focus
Writing Skills
Strategies and Resources
Good tips on how to use online,
instructional videos in the classroom.
Free, Online Instructional Videos
Read passages aloud in partners,
partner up to answer questions, complete an exit slip after each class/unit.
Steck-Vaughn: Building Strategies for GED Success
Find two passages on a similar
subject and have students compare/contrast them using a Venn Diagram
Compare Reading Passages
Reading #1
Reading #2
Good resource for primary and
secondary sources.
History on the Net
This is an amazing resource of primary source
documents. There are great lessons plans teachers can use as is, or modify as needed.
Idea: Practice “translating” documents
Library of Congress
Great resource bank of
different modules.
Literacy Design Collaborative
Although this is a K-12 site, there are some
lessons and ideas that ABE teachers could take and modify for their own classrooms. The focus is on digital literacy in the classroom and well, that is what the GED 2014 is about. You have to sign up for this, but it is free and so far, I have not been attached with email solicitations.
Digital Wish
Extended Response items on the 2014 GED®
Social Studies test come from the civics and government domain and are focused on the theme Development of Modern Liberties and Democracy.
As a result, most of the enduring issues will fall into four categories: 1. Citizens’ rights in conflict with some other
societal interest 2. Separation of powers 3. Checks and balances 4. States' rights versus federal power
What are some examples of enduring issues that will be covered on the new Social
Studies exam?
Is there a common value and
belief system in America, or has the concept of American unity simply always been a myth? Use specific details from the passage as well as examples from your personal life and knowledge of American society to support your answer.
Example Prompt
5 minutes: Establish a focus and
generate ideas
10-15 minutes: First draft
5-10 minutes: Review, edit, revise
Suggested Plan of Attack
Instructional Shifts
Brainstorm in small groups:
1. What are you already doing? 2. What is one thing you want to
start implementing when you return to the classroom?
Instructional Shifts
Wrap-Up