Practices And Procedures For The Improvement Of The Eight Grade Social Studies Program In The ARP Elementary School

During the last ten years, elementary education has received less critical study than almost any other phase of the American school system* The situation has been generally Justified on the grounds that the elementary school did not need improvement as much as other aspects of the educational system. During recent years there has been a marked change in the philosophy of education, in the organization of techniques of teaching, and in the content of the various courses of instruction, particularly the course in the social studies. There is a growing conviction among teachers that the social studies should serve as an approach to the social understanding of our current complex society. The modern school must learn to use the community as a great living laboratory in the social studies. Hot only must the school learn to use the community as an effective means of education, but, It must also make contribution to improved living through groups. Ho longer can our simplest needs be met without dependence on group processes and actions