Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

Which project type would encourage the highest level of thinking in a social studies class about local community history?

1. Creating a poster with historical facts

2. Writing articles based on community interviews

3. Discussing past influences and projecting future changes

4. Drawing a timeline from archived newspapers

The correct answer is: Discussing past influences and projecting future changes

Choosing a project that involves discussing past influences and projecting future changes encourages critical thinking and analytical skills at a higher level. This approach requires students to not only recall historical facts but also to engage in deeper analysis by connecting past events with contemporary societal issues. It stimulates discussion about the causes and effects of historical actions and events within the community, prompting students to reflect on how the past shapes present circumstances and future possibilities. This kind of project promotes higher-order thinking skills, including evaluation and synthesis, as students must integrate various pieces of information, consider different perspectives, and make informed predictions about the future of their community. They draw on historical themes and patterns, fostering an understanding of continuity and change, which is essential in social studies education. In contrast, projects like creating a poster or drawing a timeline primarily focus on factual recall and representation of information, which do not engage students in the same depth of inquiry and critical thinking that discussing influences and projecting changes would. Writing articles based on community interviews is more reflective than analytical; while it does involve some critical thinking, it does not inherently require the synthesis of historical context with future implications as much as the chosen response does.