Abstract

Elementary teachers who were members of the National Council for the Social Studies responded to a survey concerning their perceptions on the status of social studies in the schools, their use of resources, their selection of teaching strategies, and their concerns related to social studies for the next five years. Teachers’ revealed a wide range of responses. Many reported using an integrated approach some of the time, but also indicated they taught social studies as a single stand alone subject based on social science disciplines. Culture, history, and geography dominated their content selection. Interest was shown in expanding their use of computers and the need for on-going staff development. Recommendations to the social studies community are made for meeting the needs of elementary social studies teachers as are suggestions for additional research.