Social Studies 2014

Presenter: Lindsey Cermak, Minnesota Literacy Council

lcermak@mnliteracy.org

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 GovernmentU.S. HistoryEconomicsGeography 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

Good resource for relevant

reading material.

Change Agent

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