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Alaska Department of Education & Early Development

Essential Skills for Social Studies: Organizing & Using Information

Suggested strength of instructional effort					¡ minimum	¤ some	p major	n intense
A. Thinking Skills
K-3	4-6	7-9	10-12
				1. Classify Information
¡	¤	p	p	Identify relevant factual material
¡	¤	p	p	Sense relationship between items of factual information
¤	¤	p	p	Group data in categories according to appropriate criteria
¤	¤	p	p	Place in proper sequence
				(1) order of occurrence
				(2) order of importance
¤	¤	p	p	Place data in tabular form: charts, graphs, illustrations
				2. Interpret Information
¡	¤	p	p	State relationships between categories of information
¡	¤	p	n	Note cause and effect relationships
¡	¤	p	n	Draw inferences from factual material
¡	¤	p	n	Predict likely outcomes based on factual information
¡	¤	p	n	Recognize the value dimension of interpreting factual material
¡	¤	p	p	Recognize instances in which more than one interpretation of factual material is valid
				3. Analyze Information
¡	p	p	p	Form a simple organization of key ideas related to a topic
¡	¤	p	p	Separate a topic into major components according to appropriate criteria
¡	¤	p	p	Examine critically relationships between and among elements of a topic
¡	¤	p	n	Detect bias in data presented in various forms: graphics, tabular, visual, print
¡	¤	p	n	Compare and contrast credibility of differing accounts of the same event
				4. Summarize Information
¡	¤	p	p	Extract significant ideas from supporting illustrative details
¡	¤	p	p	Combine critical concepts into a statement of conclusions based on information
¡	¤	¤	¤	Restate major ideas of a complex topic in concise form
¡	¤	p	n	Form opinion based on critical examination of relevant information
¡	¤	p	n	State hypothesis for further study
				5. Synthesize Information
¡	¤	p	p	Propose a new plan of operation, create a new system, or devise a futuristic scheme based on available information
¡	¤	¤	¤	Reinterpret events in terms of what might have happened, and show the likely effects on subsequent events
¡	¤	p	p	Present visually (chart, graph, diagram, model, etc.) information extracted from print
¡	¡	¤	p	Prepare a research paper that requires a creative solution to a problem
o	n	n	n	Communicate orally and in writing
				6. Evaluate Information
¡	¤	p	p	Determine whether or not the information is pertinent to the topic
¡	¡	¤	p	Estimate the adequacy of the information
¡	¡	¤	p	Test the validity of the information, using such criteria as source, objectivity, technical correctness, currency
B. Decision-Making Skills
¡	¤	p	n	Identify a situation in which a decision is required
¡	¤	p	p	Secure needed factual information relevant to making the decision
¡	¤	p	n	Recognize the values implicit in the situation and the issues that flow from them
¡	¤	p	p	Identify alternative courses of action and predict likely consequences of each
¤	¤	p	p	Make decision based on the data obtained
¡	¤	p	p	Take action to implement the decision
C. Metacognitive Skills
¡	¤	p	n	Select an appropriate strategy to solve a problem
¡	¤	p	n	Self-monitor one's thinking process
Essential Skills: Interpersonal Relationships & Social Participation
A. Personal Skills (move over)
K-3	4-6	7-9	10-12
¡	¤	p	n	Express personal convictions
¡	¤	p	p	Communicate own beliefs, feelings, and convictions
¡	¤	¤	¤	Adjust own behavior to fit the dynamics of various groups and situations
p	p	p	p	Recognize the mutual relationship between human beings in satisfying one another's needs
B. Group Interaction Skills (move)
¡	¤	¤	p	Contribute to the development of a supportive climate in groups
p	p	p	p	Participate in making rules and guidelines for group life
p	p	p	p	Serve as a leader or follower
p	p	p	p	Assist in setting goals for the group
¡	¤	p	p	Participate in delegating duties, organizing, planning, making decisions, and taking action in group setting
¡	¡	p	p	Participate in persuading, compromising, debating, and negotiating in the resolution of conflicts and differences
C. Social and Political Participation Skills
¡	¤	p	n	Keep informed on issues that affect society
¡	¤	p	n	Identify situations in which social action is required
¡	¤	p	n	Work individually or with others to decide on an appropriate course of action
¡	¤	p	n	Work to influence those in positions of social power to strive for extensions of freedom, social justice, and human rights
¡	¤	p	n	Accept and fulfill social responsibilities associated with citizenship in a free society
Essential Skills for Social Studies: Acquiring Information
A. Reading Skills
K-3	4-6	7-9	10-12
				1. Comprehension
p	n	p	¡	Read to get literal meaning
p	n	p	¤	Use chapter and section headings, topic sentences, and summary
¡	n	n	¤	Differentiate main and subordinate ideas
¡	o	o	o	Select passages that are pertinent to the topic studied
¡	¤	o	n	Interpret what is read by drawing inferences
¡	¤	o	n	Detect cause and effect relationships
¡	¤	o	n	Distinguish between the fact and opinion; recognize propaganda
¡	¤	o	n	Recognize author bias
n	n	n	¤	Use picture clues and picture captions to aid comprehension
¡	¤	o	n	Use literature to enrich meaning
¡	o	n	n	Read for a variety of purposes: critically, analytically, to predict outcomes, to answer a question, to form an opinion, to skim for facts
¡	¤	o	n	Read various forms of printed material: books, magazines, newspapers, directories, schedules, journals
				2. Vocabulary
n	n	¤	¤	Use usual word attack skills: sight recognition, phonetic analysis, structural analysis
¡	o	n	o	Use context clues to gain meaning
¡	n	o	o	Use appropriate sources to gain meaning of essential terms and vocabulary: glossary, dictionary, text, word lists
¡	n	n	o	Recognize and understand an increasing number of social studies terms
				3. Rate of Reading
¡	o	o	n	Adjust speed of reading to suit purpose
¡	o	o	o	Adjust rate of reading to difficulty of the material
B. Study Skills
				1. Find Information
¡	o	¤	¤	Use various parts of a book (index, table of contents, etc.)
¡	o	¤	¡	Use key words, letters on volumes, index, and cross references to find information
¡	¤	¤	o	Evaluate sources of information--print, visual, electronic
¡	¤	o	o	Use appropriate source of information
¡	¤	o	o	Use the community as a resource
				2. Arrange Information in Usable Forms
¡	¤	o	o	Make outline of topic
¡	¤	o	o	Prepare summaries
¡	¤	o	¤	Make timelines
¡	¤	o	o	Take notes
¡	¤	o	¤	Keep records
¡	¤	o	o	Use italics, marginal notes, and footnotes
n	o	¤	¤	Listen for information
n	o	o	¤	Follow directions
¡	¤	o	n	Write reports and research papers
¡	¤	o	n	Prepare a bibliography
C. Reference & Information-Search Skills
				1.The Library
¤	¤	o	o	Use card catalog to locate books
¡	¤	o	o	Use Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature and other indexes
¡	¤	o	o	Use COMCATS (Computer Catalog Service)
¡	¤	¤	¤	Use public library telephone information service
				2. Special References
¡	¡	¤	o	Almanacs
¤	n	¤	¡	Encyclopedias
¤	n	¤	¡	Dictionary
¡	o	¤	¤	Indexes
¡	¡	¤	o	Government publications
¡	¡	¤	o	Microfiche
¡	¤	o	o	Periodicals
¤	¤	¤	o	News sources: newspapers, news magazines, TV, radio, videotapes, artifacts
				3. Maps, Globes, Graphics
				Use map and globe-reading skills
¡	n	o	¤	Orient a map and note directions
¡	o	n	¤	Locate places on map and globe
¡	¤	o	¤	Use scale and compute distances
¡	¤	o	n	Interpret map symbols and visualize what they mean
¡	¤	¤	¤	Compare maps and make inferences
¡	¡	o	o	Express relative location
¡	¤	o	n	Interpret graphs
¡	¤	o	n	Detect bias in visual material
¡	¤	o	n	Interpret social and political messages of cartoons
				4. Community Resources
¡	¤	o	o	Use sources of information in the community
¡	¤	o	o	Conduct interviews of individuals in the community
¡	¤	o	o	Use community newspapers
D. Technical Skills Unique to Electronic Devices
				1. Computer
¡	¤	o	o	Operate a computer using prepared instructional or reference programs
¡	¤	o	o	Operate a computer to enter and retrieve information gathered from a variety of sources
				2. Telephone and Television Information Networks
¡	¤	¤	¤	Ability to access information through networks