Teaching Social Studies in Middle and Secondary Schools

Description

Designed to assist pre-service and in-service educators to effectively teach social studies while preparing their middle and secondary school students to become reflective, competent, and concerned citizens, this accessible text is a contemporary and comprehensive introduction to teaching social studies that draws on proven theory, sound research, and the wisdom of experienced teachers.  

This comprehensive introduction to the art, science, and craft of social studies teaching in the middle and secondary grades examines the origins and evolving state of the social studies and citizenship across the United States, provides “hands-on” guidelines for applying social studies theory to actual classroom practice, and explores the ferment, controversies, and challenges that characterize social studies teaching in the middle and secondary grades today. It features an abundance of instructional models, applications, and examples — all thoroughly grounded in proven theory, research, and practitioner wisdom.

Continuing in the tradition of social studies innovator Peter Martorella and taking a constructivist approach, the authors address current issues such as a global perspective, diversity, technology, inclusion, and teacher certification. Organized in three parts, the text first examines the origins and evolution of social studies and citizenship education across the United States. Following this, targeted chapters address the art, science, and craft of social studies teaching as a means for engaging learners in knowledge construction. In the final section, the authors look at ways to improve social studies instruction through the incorporation of emerging technologies, and explore the implications of the rich cultural diversity within our nation. 

• New and experienced educators get valuable insight into how effective social studies instruction can be nurtured and sustained through the inclusion of teacher craft wisdom, research findings relative to instruction, and well-grounded theories.

• The design enhances readers’ effectiveness as teachers of social studies. Included in each chapter are opening outlines as advance organizers, plus chapter-ending suggested activities and Web-based resources.

• Understanding of the material is further enhanced through a number of highly useful pedagogical features including:

• New Internet Resources (Tech Links)
• Addressing the Issues boxes
• Numerous field-tested lessons and activities

Part I: The State of Social Studies and Citizenship Education    

Chapter 1: Perspectives on the Social Studies   

Chapter 2: Supersizing Social Studies   

Chapter 3: Building Social Concern in a Globally and Culturally Diverse World

Part II: Developing Reflective, Competent, and Concerned Citizens      

Chapter 4: Organizing and Planning for Teaching Social Studies

Chapter 5: Promoting Learning Through Reflective Inquiry        

Chapter 6: Engaging Students in Collaborative Learning

Chapter 7: Skills for Citizenship Education

Chapter 8: Adapting Social Studies Instruction to Individual Needs       

Part III: Preparing and Assessing Student Readiness for 21st Century Citizenship

Chapter 9: Using Technology to Enhance Social Studies Instruction

Chapter 10: Evaluating and Assessing Student Learning

References

Index   

Designed to assist pre-service and in-service educators to effectively teach social studies while preparing their middle and secondary school students to become reflective, competent, and concerned citizens, this accessible text is a contemporary and comprehensive introduction to teaching social studies that draws on proven theory, sound research, and the wisdom of experienced teachers.  

This comprehensive introduction to the art, science, and craft of social studies teaching in the middle and secondary grades examines the origins and evolving state of the social studies and citizenship across the United States, provides “hands-on” guidelines for applying social studies theory to actual classroom practice, and explores the ferment, controversies, and challenges that characterize social studies teaching in the middle and secondary grades today. It features an abundance of instructional models, applications, and examples — all thoroughly grounded in proven theory, research, and practitioner wisdom.

Continuing in the tradition of social studies innovator Peter Martorella and taking a constructivist approach, the authors address current issues such as a global perspective, diversity, technology, inclusion, and teacher certification. Organized in three parts, the text first examines the origins and evolution of social studies and citizenship education across the United States. Following this, targeted chapters address the art, science, and craft of social studies teaching as a means for engaging learners in knowledge construction. In the final section, the authors look at ways to improve social studies instruction through the incorporation of emerging technologies, and explore the implications of the rich cultural diversity within our nation. 

Thoroughly revised with briefer and even more reader-friendly chapters this new edition implores a focus on 21^st Century learning and skills and the Core Curriculum standards. Updated content is aligned with the most current research in the field of social studies education, and includes additional material relating to global studies, technology, and citizenship education.

• New 21st Century Skills have been added, contributing greatly to the timeliness of this new edition. Integrated throughout all chapters, the text focuses on teaching in today’s classroom to today’s students. The 21 ^st Century Skills highlighted will equip social studies teachers to successfully instruct students as they are today—learners in a rapidly changing educational climate.
• New Organization and Updates throughout the text. With reordered and streamlined chapters from beginning to end, including important updates such as the most current research and discussions in the field at the time of publication, this edition proves more accessible and current than ever before.
• New Introduction and Exploration of Web 2.0 Tools. Prominently featured in Chapter 8 on technology, as well as discussed throughout the text this edition integrates discussion a  variety of new and current technologies to support learning in social studies.
• New Chapter 8 on adapting instruction to meet all students’ individual needs features a major contribution from acclaimed educator, Dr. Susan Osborne. This revised and relocated chapter (formerly Chapter 11 in previous editions) will equip educators to better understand and serve the needs of every student, especially those with challenges to overcome. Inclusion, differentiating instruction, lesson preparation, and teaching approaches –proven helpful for all students—are addressed in this chapter.
• New In-depth Treatment of Teaching ESL Students is featured in Chapter 7. Expanded upon from earlier editions, the subject and skills of teaching ESL students is covered in greater detail, responding to the changing demographics of our country’s public school populations.
• New Introduction and Exploration of Core Teaching Standards is addressed primarily in Chapter 1. This new content, essential for pre-service teachers, builds awareness of the impact that core standards plays on social studies teaching and learning as more and more states move to a core standards curriculum.
• New Chapter Six on developing skills for citizenship education, gives a detailed treatment to the contemporary definitions of citizenship education, and discusses the necessary skills for 21^st century citizenship.