This article identifies the challenges of developing active citizens based on the latest revised social studies curriculum in Malawi (2015) in the context of Malawi's secondary school classrooms. By using collected data from interviews with teachers and students and classroom observation, the paper examines the extent to which social studies…

The purpose of this study is to provide the best possible learning environment for K-8 English Learners (ELs) in social studies content suggested by ESL teachers and school administrators in North Carolina. ESL teachers and school administrators share their perceptions of best practices and strategies that have been effective in addressing the…

If world religions courses are created at all in public school districts, they often are designed to encourage cultural fluency and tolerance. It is a teachable moment for the teacher to witness in an hour these far-flung students moving beyond tolerance to collaboration. Taking on a world religions program typically is viewed as a risky…

This article describes an attempt to bring disciplinary historical inquiry into the social studies classroom. This work emerges from a five-school 6-month intervention in San Francisco, "Reading like a Historian", which found main effects for student learning across four quantitative measures: historical thinking, factual knowledge,…

For new educators, the obstacles of high-stakes testing, curricular mandates, and their own inexperience and self-doubt can render teaching for justice and equity overwhelming, seemingly impossible ideals. However, as students are increasingly tied to prescriptive curricula and academic performance standards, the goals of social justice and…

A learning center is a designated area of the classroom where resources are provided to guide individuals and groups of children in specific activities. The rationale, suggestions for themes, and design and construction of the learning center are examined. (Author/DE)

Article focuses on the interlocking of content and teaching, horizontal impact of social studies on other subjects, effect of curriculum on personality, and changes in cognitive and affective behavior. (Author)

Maintains that group activities in the classroom can be beneficial both socially and academically for students. Presents a six-step plan for helping students develop social skills while working in cooperative groups. Discusses classroom management, grading, and lesson structure issues related to cooperative learning. (CFR)

Traditionally, early childhood educators address the gaping hole in their planning books under the "social studies" header by teaching a smattering of thematic units. Most early childhood educators now know the importance of planning experiences for social studies, or any other content area, that are integrated, meaningful, and of high interest.…

An effective, action-oriented way of addressing students' values and character growth is emphasized in this collection of articles. The book teaches the principles that form the integrated approach to character education. Three vital aspects of teaching and learning are discussed. An introduction by the editor is entitled: "The Six Principles…

Classroom climate has often been labeled the "hidden curriculum." The positive or negative interpersonal communication between teacher and student influences student self-concept and academic performance. Teachers should be committed to the enrichment of the curriculum through the tenets of humanism and the creation of a positive classroom…

Uses interpretations of educational historians to explain the uniformity that resulted from the New Social Studies (NSS) movement. Describes the origins of the NSS in two streams: the academic disciplines and citizenship education. Suggests that the uniformity and diversity of the profession is based on a central tendency that emphasizes…

Maintains that the field of social studies defines its central purpose through endorsements of citizenship education. Reports on three case studies of elementary teachers using Catherine Cornbleth's three types of citizenship education: the illusory, the technical, and the constructive. (CFR)

Argues that citizenship cannot be learned by reading textbooks, but instead is learned through daily interactions. States that the classroom, with its rules, authority, individuals, and groups, allows students to practice citizenship daily. Suggests that instruction focus on immediate student concerns and identifies strategies for connecting…

Reports on a study of 11 preservice teachers' beliefs and practices about secondary social studies education. Finds that the preservice teachers held positive conceptions about social studies, stressing active learning techniques and knowledge construction. (ACM)