Social Studies Inspired By The Characteristics Of The High School History Teaching

The history course in senior high schools in China has long been a separate one from other courses, aiming just at examinations, and the college entrance examination is the only standard for it. With the development of the comprehensive courses and the discovery of the disadvantages of traditional teaching models, China has carried out a series of reforms since the 1990s. The social studies have been officially put into the national latest curriculum plan, and have been put into practice in primary and junior schools in some provinces. In 2001, the necessity of the comprehensive courses was further stressed in The Decision on the Reform and Development of Elementary Education distributed by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Meanwhile, the textbook History and Society has also been adopted in junior middle schools. Based on the reform in the elementary education, the experimental proposal in the reform of the senior courses was put forward in 2004.The social studies are full of humanity, and can reflect the educational function of history. This comprehensive course goes better with students'level of understanding. Besides, this course stresses more about social practice, aiming at developing students' ability of observation, communication and consideration. It teaches the students the method of learning. However, the social studies were quitted in some experimental districts last year, which reflects the course still needed to be improved. We need more theoretical support and more practice to solve the problem. The development of the comprehensive history course in senior highs would come sooner or later. This essay tries to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of carrying out the social studies through comparing the situation between China and Japan. The advantages of the comprehensive course could be applied to the reform of the curriculum plan in high schools.The reform of the curriculum in high school in 2004 has brought in some new concept, new text and new evaluation. Teachers are faced with both challenges and chances. Many teachers have also put forward some wonderful advice and ideas. But we believe the more things change, the more they stay the same. The purpose of the history course in middle schools is to develop students' quality in both science and culture by experiencing, discussing and thinking. Therefore, we must stick to our purpose in the reform to ensure the high quality of our teaching and to give every student his or her own room to study.