Resources... I got them!!

I have found the most amazing resource for teachers, especially those using social studies curriculum, but also for ELA teachers to help incorporate social studies into their curriculum and readings as well. I believe teachers should constantly be trying to connect all subjects with each other, but especially reading because without reading and literacy there would be no other subjects. However, just because this resource is heavily history/ social studies based does not mean other content area teachers can't find this resource helpful. It provides ways to break down primary sources, but also how to summarize and paraphrase that could be helpful for maybe science emphasis teachers to look at. These resources help show teachers how to teach their students basic literacy components, but adding a twist by putting their content area in the mix. Mixing subjects may sound confusing, but ultimately when connections are made in all content areas, that makes it easier for the students to remember and use over and over again.

Overall, this resource has great information for all social studies teachers. There are lesson plans, teaching materials on certain historical circumstances that could be difficult to explain to younger ages, how to break down history textbook terminology, etc. It also includes national resources for all teachers such as access to the Smithsonian Museum. These materials are very helpful in creating lesson plans, but also when there are topics that sometimes don't even make sense to us, teachers. Relating social studies to literacy topics is very important as students are often asked to write papers and short answers explaining and analyzing historical events. Being able to teach students useful ways to write and explain ensures that they will become better readers and writers overall increasing their literacy.

Resource: https://teachinghistory.org/history-content
Word Count: 291

Reading is Fun... Sometimes!

It is a whole new perspective realizing you are finally learning things in school that are going to be used almost every day in life. Learning about reading while reading is very ironic and fun to take away components that I could see myself using to teach my students. From a student perspective I can agree with the points made. I hated reading and at times I still moan and groan when my professors ask me to read and respond to an article. I think it is important to understand that students of all ages want to have fun reading but struggle with the content and understanding what they are reading. Students need to use the 'keys' to see a story be told instead of just words on a page. By doing this they will feel more connected to what they are reading which in turn makes them more interested in it. As a future teacher, it was very resourceful for me to read about how to teach students to read as Social Studies is one of my content areas and there is always reading whether it is primary sources or secondary sources used to tell the story of the past. Reading can be hard no matter if you read every day or not. Going about it is what will help my students succeed.
Understanding the steps is important and vital to get down on their level. I understand that they are starting out on different levels and as future teachers, we need to understand that reading is a complex process, but vital and needs to be learned the right way.

Subjects Matter Chapter 2
Word Count: 271