

Mentoring students and teaching them how to reason, argue and persuade effectively.Developing and enforcing classroom rules.Assisting students who need extra help, such as by tutoring and preparing and implementing remedial programs.Communicating with parents about their child’s progress.Preparing, administering and grading tests to evaluate students’ progress.Assessing students’ abilities, strengths and weaknesses.Instructing students through lectures, discussions and activities.The typical duties of a middle school social studies teacher include: Social studies teachers frequently must set aside time outside of the school day to develop lesson content and to grade student work and tests. In addition to classroom teaching, they may also instruct students one-on-one or in smaller groups outside of class. Middle school social studies teachers typically work five days a week for nine or 10 months of the year. These teachers meet to discuss students’ progress and to plan lessons. Some middle school teachers work in teams that teach the same group of students. In between class periods, they often have prep periods to plan lessons, grade assignments or meet with other teachers and staff. They usually instruct two to four classes a day that last 45 to 90 minutes. Middle school social studies teachers introduce their preteen students to a sustained focus on subjects like history and geography. Social studies teachers may enjoy winter, spring and summer vacations, though many have a second career when school is not in session. Between classes and after school, you may have to prepare lessons, grade homework and tests, and attend meetings. You will teach to more than one class of students each day. Social studies teachers can expect to work school days (mornings and afternoons five days a week, nine to 10 months of the year). You’ll also be challenged to connect classroom material to current events to help your students better understand how the content of the course plays a role in everyday life. Engaging your class with lectures, classroom discussions, relevant activities and demonstrations.Teaching a curriculum provided by the school.Social studies teachers work primarily in middle schools and high schools because elementary school classes are much more general and college courses are far more specialized.Īs a social studies teacher, your office will be your classroom. Social studies courses draw from a wide spectrum of disciplines - anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion and sociology - to educate students in the fundamentals of the humanities, history and social sciences.
