Illinois State Goals
	Dimensions of the Curriculum
	Learning Objectives
	Multiple Intelligences
	Instructional Activities
	Double Entry Journal Prompts
	Environment for Learning

PHILOSOPHY:
According to the constructivist theory of learning, students make connections between their prior knowledge and new experiences. The natural tendency is to reject new information if it is not compatible with what is already in the mind. Therefore, it is essential to provide opportunities for students to test and express their ideas to the teacher and peers, so that they can construct (reconstruct) the concepts in their mind to include new information. As they reorganize their prior knowledge or relinquish part of it, they develop deeper understandings and make sense of their own experience.

This philosophy is aptly underscored by Judith Nies in her book, Native American History:

History is context. We choose our history by selecting certain events to include in the narrative. Those events take their meaning in relation to other events. And these narratives make up the myths of our culture - myths that are changing all the time.

4th Grade Social Studies