Chapter 40: A “Lived-In” Secondary Social Studies Methods Course

A “lived-in” model to social studies teacher preparation embeds teacher candidates in 10^th grade U.S. History classrooms in an urban school whereby they take over instructional planning and implementation responsibilities, in consultation with a cooperating teacher and their methods professor, for the semester.

The lived-in model to social studies teacher education is grounded in 20–25 preservice social studies teachers, enrolled in a six-hour social studies methods block, being placed in supportive social studies classroom environments that allow for the building of relationships with students and teachers. All course sessions meet on-site at one area high school, and all candidates are initially assigned to one of two experienced U.S. History teachers for sixteen weeks (10–12 candidates per class). Candidates meet at the school for class Monday through Friday from 12:50–3pm.