Integrating social studies with language arts ensures that social studies concepts are being taught in a curriculum where the focus on reading and math might make it hard to fit in dedicated time for social studies. This integration also supports important skills that will benefit students throughout their school years like reading and comprehending informational texts, conducting research, and investigating real-world events and topics.

Allocate at least 5 hours in the field to support this field experience.

Observe one social studies and one ELA lesson in your mentor teacher’s classroom. If social studies is not being taught, collaborate with your mentor to locate another classroom to observe. During your observation, take note of how the teacher integrates other content areas and arts concepts into the lessons.

Following the observation, interview the teacher you observed. Ask the following questions:

• How do you plan your ELA and social studies lessons?
• Is there a social studies curriculum provided by the school or district that you use? If not, what types of social studies resources are provided/do you use?
• What ELA curriculum do you use? Are other content areas, including the arts, incorporated into this curriculum at all?
• How do you decide which language arts skills to integrate into social studies lessons?
• Do you incorporate arts concepts into your ELA or social studies lessons? If so, how do you decide which arts concepts to include?
• What best practices do you implement during cross-content integration to support diverse learners?

Use any remaining field experience hours to assist the mentor teacher in providing instruction and support to the class.

In 250-500 words, summarize your observations and interview with the teacher. What are some strategies you observed or discussed for cross-content integration that you will use in your future professional practice?

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite Technical Support Articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Clinical Field Experience Verification Form.

Submit the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form to the digital classroom in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.