Social Studies for Secondary Schools Teaching to Learn, Learning to Teach

Now in its 4th edition, this popular text for secondary social studies methods courses integrates discussions of educational goals and the nature of history and social studies with ideas for organizing social studies curricula, units, lessons, projects, and activities. A major theme throughout is that what teachers choose to teach and the way they teach reflect their broader understanding of society, history, and the purpose of social studies education. Advocating an inquiry and activity-based view of social studies teaching that respects the points of view of students and teachers, and based in practice and experience, it offers systematic support and open, honest advice for new teachers. Each chapter addresses a broad question about social studies education; sub-chapters begin with narrower questions that direct attention to specific educational issues. Lesson ideas and materials in the book and online are especially designed to help new teachers to address common core learning standards, to work in inclusive settings, and to promote literacy and the use of technology in social studies classrooms. Chapters include highlighted Learning Activities, Teaching Activities, nd Classroom Activities designed to provoke discussion and illustrate different approaches to teaching social studies, and conclude with recommendations for further reading and links to on-line essays about related social studies topics. Activities are followed by four categories: "Think it over," "Add your voice to the discussion," "Try it yourself," and "It’s your classroom." All of these are supported with online teaching material. Designed for undergraduate and graduate pre-service social studies methods courses, this text is also useful for in-service training programs, as a reference for new social studies teachers, and as a resource for experienced social studies educators who are engaged in rethinking their teaching practice. New in the Fourth Edition Provides a number of new lesson ideas paired with online lesson plans and activity sheets in every chapter Takes a new focus on data-driven, standards-based instruction, especially in relation to the common core curriculum Addresses the interactive nature of learning in updated technology sections Reflects current trends in history education Includes more of what the author has learned from working teachers Offers a wealth of additional on-line material linked to the text

Brief Contents PrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. Who Am I?I. Thinking about Social Studies Chapter 2. Why Study History?Chapter 3. What Is Social Studies?Chapter 4. What Are Our Goals?Chapter 5. Is Social Studies Teaching “Political”?Chapter 6. How Do You Plan a Social Studies Curriculum?II. Preparing to Teach Social StudiesChapter 7. How Do You Plan a Social Studies Unit?Chapter 8. How Do You Plan a Social Studies Lesson?Chapter 9. What Are the Building Blocks of an Activity-Based Lesson?III. Implementing Your IdeasChapter 10. How Can Social Studies Teachers Plan Controversy-Centered, Thematic, and Chapter 11. What Is a Project Approach to Social Studies?Chapter 12. How Should Teachers Assess Student Learning and Our Own Practice?Chapter 13. What Resources Exist for Social Studies Classrooms and Teachers?

Alan J. Singer is Professor of Secondary Education and coordinator of Social Studies Education in the Department of Teaching, Literacy and Leadership, Hofstra University, USA.