Reading in content areas is generally difficult for English-language learners (ELLs), but reading in social studies is particularly challenging for ELLs for several reasons. First, ELLs often lack background information that textbook authors assume readers have. Second, ELLs in the process of learning a new language do not have…

Presents a study of United States History textbooks that identifies possible shortcomings of several readability formulas as tools in determining the appropriateness of reading materials. Suggests additional factors to consider when selecting textbooks and techniques to help students understand reading materials. (AEM)

Describes how social studies teachers can help students interact with textbooks to promote better comprehension and retention of information. Suggests methods for linking existing knowledge to concepts in the text, for organizing information to encourage retention, and for making the expository style of texts more accessible. (LS)

The principles and skills of reading instruction must be expanded upon to improve student competence in social studies content. Two methods (Fry's Readability graph and the Diagnostic Survey) for determining readability and evaluation are presented as an aid to accomplishing reading skills. (JR)

Suggests that social studies teachers use cloze procedure to determine the reading level of materials they use in the classroom. The method consists of excerpting a 300-word passage from the intended text and deleting every fifth word. Students fill in words through attention to context. (Author/KC)

Discusses study to determine readability levels of materials for the social studies classroom which examine contemporary problems. The Dale-Chall and the Fry readability formulae were used. Reading levels of newspapers, government publications, magazines, and publications of special interest groups are provided in chart form. (KC)

Two methods for aiding social studies students in developing better reading skills are suggested. The cloze and maze techniques are completion tests requiring the reader to insert words through multiple choice or from the surrounding context of the sentence. (JR)

Findings from a Fry readability test indicated that the readability of "This Is America's Story" was about ninth-grade level but that many junior high school students would find the text too difficult because of readability variation. (DB)

Discusses why social studies is suitable for multilevel textbook programs, and important features of viable multilevel textbook programs are examined. A sample unit of study for a high school U.S. history course using multilevel texts is provided. A list of easy-reading secondary grade social studies materials is also included. (RM)

Describes teaching children about historical documents as a way of illustrating the reasons behind U.S. government. Explains that the course examines the U.S. Constitution, Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, and Bill of Rights. Argues that children have firm opinions about fairness and justice. Describes a project comparing U.S. government with that…

Discusses the benefits of using young adult literature and trade books when teaching social studies to middle school students, especially in relation to student motivation and reading level. Addresses how to use young adult literature, student choice of books, and cooperative learning. Describes two classroom activities for a follow-up to…