teaching with taylor

As a high school student, you have information thrown at you daily and you have to sift through and figure out what the most important stuff is. This can be an overwhelming process and I’m here to break down some of the knowledge, skills and values you should have by the time you graduate. Or at least give you my humble opinion of what I think you should have by the time you finish high school.

Let’s start off with skills…

As an educator, I cannot deny that it is incredibly important to have reading, writing and basic math skills. These skills empower you to navigate and succeed in all areas of life. Being able to read enables critical thinking skills, comprehension and successful communication and gives you the ability to engage with a variety of information. Having writing skills enables you to clearly express your ideas and thoughts, which enhances your ability to communicate. Math is a universal language for decision-making, problem-solving and reasoning and having math skills enables you to analyze situations to make informed choices. Together, these three skills make up the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

It is vital to have critical thinking skills as they enable you to analyze information and make well-informed decisions. The ability to communicate, be adaptable and work in team environments are also important to have. Effective communication promotes the exchange of ideas, promotes understanding and encourages teamwork. Being adaptable allows you to be resilient, navigate change and embrace new perspectives.

Moving on to the knowledge you should have…

Political literacy is important for you to have as it empowers you to understand how governments function, make informed decisions and actively participate in shaping your future and the future of your society.

It is important for you to have financial literacy so that you can make sound financial decisions in order to establish the foundation for a secure future.

Having knowledge on morals and ethics is important as a high school student because it provides a moral compass, guiding you to make principled decisions, cultivate empathy, and contribute positively to your communities and the broader society.

Media and information literacy is important to have as it enables you to critically evaluate sources, navigate the vast digital landscape, and empowers you to make informed decisions in an era of pervasive information.

Having knowledge on social and emotional learning fosters self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence, equipping you with the tools needed to navigate relationships, manage stress, and thrive academically and personally.

Lastly, let’s talk about values…

Values serve as guiding principles, shaping your decisions and actions and provide a moral foundation that contributes to personal integrity and ethical conduct. Additionally, values foster a sense of identity and purpose, facilitating meaningful connections with others and contributing to a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in life.

The image below explains what values you should have by the end of your high school career.

In my last blog post, I explained that social studies helps promote civic engagement. When you read this, you nod your head in agreeance, but what does civic engagement even mean? 

Civic engagement is the promotion of a healthy society through the processes and activities of individuals, communities and groups. It invites people, regardless of gender, status, ability etc., to be more involved in their communities on a local, national and global level. These participants are active in expressing their views, influencing decisions, and contributing to their communities. 

What does civic engagement look like? 

These are all examples of active citizenship that promote a sense of community and shared responsibility between civilians. The results of civic engagement have a profound impact on individuals, communities and society as a whole. As a result, civic engagement encourages a healthy society. 

What does a healthy society look like?

Civic engagement is an essential part of any social studies curriculum because it enhances critical thinking, encourages community, promotes active citizenship, fosters democratic responsibility, addresses social issues, and prepares students with skills, attitudes and knowledge to make informed decisions. This ultimately leads to a never-ending cycle of societal improvement!

So you’re registering for courses for the upcoming year and realize you have to take social studies. You’re wondering why you have to take such a boring class and why it even matters in the first place. And quite frankly, I don’t blame you for having these questions, because who’s taken the time to sit and explain it to you? 

Today is your lucky day because I’m here to explain what social studies is and why it’s an important course for you to take. So let’s start with the definition of social studies. The National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) defines social studies as 

“…the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence. Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world."(1)

I know you didn’t read that whole definition and neither did I… so here’s the gist: social studies is a discipline that includes content from the humanities and social sciences. This includes, but is not limited to, history, poli-sci, religion, sociology, anthropology, psychology, geography and economics. This is straightforward enough, and now you have an understanding of the possibilities of what you could be learning. Depending on your teacher, you might learn about the history of Christmas cards or the evolution of political humour or the reasons why countries allow for foreign investments or the role of gods in Homer’s Odyssey… If your interest still isn’t piqued, maybe wait and see what your upcoming class has to offer! 

So now you know what social studies is… but why does it matter? The NCSS explains, “The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good…” This means that social studies is used to empower us with the skills, values and knowledge needed to be good members of society. 

Social studies is fundamental in fostering communication, critical thinking, and research skills. In a social studies class, you learn to articulate your thoughts through different mediums, engage in debates and understand the importance of logical and persuasive arguments. Good communication is a cornerstone of fostering positive relationships. 

Social studies helps you learn from the past, promote civic engagement, and understand (and value) diversity in our globalized world. You can gain valuable insights on how to make good decisions and avoid the same mistakes when you learn about the past. By learning about your rights as citizens you recognize the importance of actively participating in your community through volunteering or voting. You learn about diversity and how it helps with the progression of society…

That’s why it matters… to make you a better person. Whether you pursue a career in social studies or in another field, social studies will help you gain versatile skills and knowledge you can apply to all aspects of your life. So when you sit in class and ask yourself why this matters try to remember this post. And if you have any questions or comments I’d love to hear from you down below! 

Happy learning! 

Taylor :) 

It's crazy how life comes full circle sometimes… I went from blogging on tumblr from 2011 to 2015 while I was in high school to blogging for my degree in education. This blog is definitely way more professional than whatever angsty mess I was working on during my early teens that's for sure hahaha!

I hope to use this not only for projects that I'm completing in my courses but also a space where I can keep track of my progress and growth as I navigate this degree.

Happy learning!

Taylor :)