In many elementary classrooms nationwide, less and less time is spent on social studies. Lack of attention to social studies is evident in states like New York where teacher evaluations are contingent on students' performance on two subjects: English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. In this article, the authors describe their experience…

Democratic societies require a citizenry skilled in argumentation. At present, the written argument maintains primacy among communicative modes. Because of its cognitive demands, written argumentation is often difficult to teach. A multimodal approach to writing instruction carries the potential to assist struggling learners. This article outlines…

This practitioner-based book provides different approaches for reaching an increasing population in today's schools - English language learners (ELLs). The recent development and adoption of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (CCSS-ELA/Literacy), the…

In the age of standardized testing, science and social studies are not given the same priority as mathematics and reading in the curriculum of United States schools. High stakes testing is viewed as having heavily biased schools toward teaching tested subjects and away from less frequently tested subjects. This paper is premised on the notion that…

Schools are complex institutions in which change occurs almost constantly. As each new piece of information is learned, the learner is changed, never to return to the same state they were prior to the act of learning, (Morrison, 2002). This study investigates the impact of interdisciplinary lesson study on teachers' instructional decisions and…

A model for designing classroom simulations is proposed as a way to integrate values and social studies in the classroom. (Author/KM)

Race is a sociopolitical construct that is often inappropriately treated as a biological reality. This incorrect application of the construct must be challenged. The social studies curriculum, an appropriate place for this challenge, faces two tasks: correcting the concept of race, and working to eliminate the racism that its misuse has created.…

A model for the joint planning and integration of science and social studies is presented. Curriculum comparisons, topic selection, topic definition and integration, and operational strategies form the basis of the model. Suggestions for implementing the model and evaluation processes are also included. (JR)

In the late 1930s and 1940s Paul R. Hanna advocated, for the elementary and junior high school student, a multidisciplinary, wholistic, and coordinated study of people in communities. This paper presents a defense of this approach to social studies, and shows how it can be adapted to include new teaching techniques. (Author/RM)

This article argues for and provides suggestions for new directions in law-focused education at the elementary level. An examination of legal education, criticisms of legal education, the practice of law itself, and children's thinking about law can supply these directions. (Author/JR)

The purpose of this paper is to refocus and expand the notion of the integration of reading, particularly literature, and social studies. The premise is that reading as a tool of inquiry can be used in the social studies classroom to develop students' abilities to inquire about social issues in the social studies. Inquiry is interpreted to include…

Examples of types of writing activities, including skill-drill, story pieces, scenario writing, and a letter to the editor, for use in secondary world history classes, are presented. A social studies writing model is also included. (RM)

Introduces the activity of building a biome which can be used both for lecture and assessment purposes. Lists required materials and procedures for this activity. (YDS)

Describes an integrated approach to social studies in which students participate in literature studies by reading tradebooks. Explains that the children engage in individual and small group activities to construct meaning from the text. Suggests that children create dioramas, character charts, and a club form of activities rather than just…

Presents a model for infusing energy conservation into the social studies curriculum at the junior high school level. The model provides for vocabulary-concept building, prereading activity, content reading, and group and individual activities. (RM)