An excellent resource for social studies teachers, this book will help them learn about and reflect on their responsibilities in our society. It focuses on classroom-based experiences and real-world contexts. The teaching methods discussed are also closely associated to social studies subject matter so they can be integrated into the actual classroom. Each chapter also examines how social studies is situated within the larger elementary curriculum to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of the instruction.

Table of Contents:
1 What Is Social Studies? 2 Defining Social Studies 5 Social Studies as a School Subject 8 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS 10 Approaches to Social Studies 11 IN THE CLASSROOM: TEACHING ABOUT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 12 LESSON: IS DRILLING FOR OIL IN THE AMAZON RIVER BASIN WORTH THE CONSEQUENCES? 16 Social Studies and Content Disciplines 20 Standards-Based Social Studies 24 2 Reflective Social Studies Teaching 30 What Is Reflection? 32 Reflection Prior to Instruction 35 LESSON: THE ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS 38 Reflection During and After Instruction 42 Using Reflection to Increase a Teacher’s Professional Knowledge 45 Reflection as Inquiry 48 IN THE CLASSROOM: A BRIEF CASE STUDY ON TEACHING ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION 50 3 Inquiry in Social Studies 54 Inquiry as Learning 56 Inquiry in Social Studies 60 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS 65 Designing a Successful Inquiry 66 IN THE CLASSROOM: INQUIRING ABOUT THE TELLICO DAM 67 LESSON: A GREAT SCIENTIST IN HISTORY 69 Forms of Inquiry 70 Inquiry and the Curriculum 74 LESSON: “THAT’S NOT FAIR”: AN INQUIRY LESSON INTO THE MEANING OF “FAIR” 76 4 Standards, Curriculum, and Testing 82 Standards and Curriculum 84 IN THE CLASSROOM: A CURRICULUM UNIT ON ANIMALS 88 Standards and Testing 90 Teaching Subject Matter In-Depth While “Covering” the Curriculum 94 LESSON: MAP ESSENTIALS 96 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS 99 Authentic Teaching with Standards 100 LESSON: GO WITH THE FLOW . . . RESOURCES 104 5 Teaching for Historical Understanding 110 History in the Schools 112 Constructing Historical Knowledge 114 IN THE CLASSROOM: USING HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS 116 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS 119 Forms of Historical Understanding: Timelines, Stories, and Empathy 121 Three Approaches to Teaching History 126 LESSON: THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 128 6 Teaching for Geographic Awareness 138 The Need for Geographic Awareness 140 How Children Develop Geographic Awareness 148 IN THE CLASSROOM: UNDERSTANDING PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL PLACE 150 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS 152 Elements of Geographic Understanding: Spaces, Places, and Systems 154 LESSON: POPULATION DENSITY 156 Using Maps to Teach Geographic Awareness 166 LESSON: MY CITY: PLANNING A NEW CITY 168 7 Teaching for Civic Competence 174 The Need for Civic Competence 176 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS 179 Forms of Civic Awareness 180 IN THE CLASSROOM: CIVIC ACTION: SETTING CLASS RULES 183 Elements of Civic Competence 187 LESSON: TINKER V. DES MOINES AND THE FEDERAL COURTS 190 Promoting Civic Competence 192 IN THE CLASSROOM: THE STORY OF CÉSAR CHÁVEZ 194 8 Direct Teaching and Learning 202 Direct Instruction and Teacher-Directed Instruction 204 IN THE CLASSROOM: TEACHER-DIRECTED INSTRUCTION—LEARNING ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT 208 Factors Influencing Teacher-Directed Instruction 210 LESSON: USING TEACHER-DIRECTED INSTRUCTION IN A LESSON ON AN IMPORTANT INVENTION 213 Types of Teacher-Directed Instruction 214 Whole Class and Independent Teacher-Directed Instruction 218 IN THE CLASSROOM: DECISION MAKING 219 LESSON: HOW MUCH SPACE IS ENOUGH? 220 9 Interactive Teaching and Learning 226 What Is Interactive Instruction? 228 LESSON: INTERACTIVE LESSON ON STATE GEOGRAPHY 232 Characteristics of Interactive Instruction 234 IN THE CLASSROOM: LEARNING ABOUT CIVIC LEADERS 235 Types of Interactive Instruction 238 Grouping Strategies 243 Interactive Instruction and Learners 248 IN THE CLASSROOM: AN INTERACTIVE APPROACH TO LEARNING ABOUT SOCIETAL RULES 250 10 Literacy in Social Studies 256 The Importance of Literacy 258 Reading in Social Studies 262 IN THE CLASSROOM: USING LITERARY RESOURCES IN A LESSON ABOUT TRANSPORTATION 264 Using Textbooks in Social Studies 268 Using Authentic Texts in Social Studies 271 IN THE CLASSROOM: AUTHENTIC LEARNING ABOUT CUSTOMS 272 Writing in Social Studies 275 LESSON: USING WRITING SKILLS TO ARGUE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY POWER 278 Literacy and the Social Studies Curriculum 280 11 Planning for Active Learning 288 Active Learning in Social Studies 290 LESSON: WEATHER AND THE EARTH’S MOVEMENTS 294 Initial Considerations for Instructional Planning 296 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS 298 Planning Instruction for Active Learning 302 Lesson Plans and Reflection 307 12 Teaching Social Studies in a Diverse Society 314 Teaching Children in Diverse Environments 316 Cultural Diversity and Social Studies 322 IN THE CLASSROOM: TEACHING ABOUT CALENDARS 325 Individual Diversity and Social Studies 326 IN THE CLASSROOM: DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION IN A LESSON ABOUT PIONEER LIFE IN AMERICA 329 Teaching in Schools with Homogeneous Social and Cultural Characteristics 330 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS 332 13 Assessing Learning 338 Types of Assessment 340 Assessment as a Part of Instruction 346 IN THE CLASSROOM: ASSESSMENT AS INSTRUCTION 348 Using Assessments to Improve Teaching and Learning 351 LESSON: THE DEATH OF TUTANKHAMEN 352 IN THE CLASSROOM: A NEW METAPHOR: CHANGING METHODS FOR EXPLANATION DURING A LESSON 354 IN THE CLASSROOM: AN ASSESSMENT CASE STUDY 357 Designing and Using Rubrics 358 14 Promoting Student Learning with Technology 364 Using Technology in Social Studies 366 Technological Applications 371 Instruction and Technology 376 LESSON: TECHNOLOGY TIMELINE 377 IN THE CLASSROOM: GAMES AS INSTRUCTION 379 Appendix A 385 Appendix B 401 Glossary 403 References 409 Credits 411 Index 415