INSTRUCTION IN SOCIAL STUDIES 51

 INSTRUCTION IN SOCIAL STUDIES

 The fundamental purpose of social studies teaching is growth in
social behavior. The term social behavior includes changes in per-
sonal outlook, attitudes and interests of the children. It includes
care of person and the development of satisfactory relationships with
others. Growth in social behavior is of course closely related to
growth in social information (understanding and knowledge) and
growth in techniques and skills (securing, organizing, and sharing
information).
 Almost the entire school program offers opportunities for in-
struction in social studies. Because social studies involves the build-
ing of attitudes as well as the acquiring of geographic and historical
information, it is important that these opportunities be used for
establishing desirable habits. Thus, if the teacher explains in the
classroom that taking turns is the right way to get along in a group,
but does not follow up to see that the children take turns in their
games on the playground, she can hardly justify the thought that
she has taught' social studies. Or, if she has developed with the
group the idea that people from far away places are not to be con-
sidered queer because the dress and customs suited to their needs
are different from our own, but at the same time allows the pupils
to shun or ridicule a newcomer to the class because his speech has
a strange accent, she has not finished her task. The ultimate test
of whether a child has learned lies in how he acts.

 Planning for the Total Program in Social Studies
 It will probably be agreed that social studies should be concerned
with the development of individuals and groups who strive to ac-
complish the following: (1) To develop proper social sensitivity
(2) To gain increasing control over the skills necessary for par-
ticipation in a democracy, (3) To gain increasing control over the
process of reflective thinking and the scientific method, (4) To
acquire increasing understanding and control over self and over
the relations of self to other people, (5) To produce and enjoy the
products of creative effort, (6) To perform some useful work and to
see the relationship of this work to democratic living.
 The steps in planning for the total program in social studies
for the first six grades include: (1) Defining general objectives,