Social Studies Research and Practice: Volume 1 Issue 2

To Test or Not to Test?: The Role of Testing in Elementary Social Studies A Collaborative Study Conducted by NCPSSE and SCPSSE

Tina L. Heafner, George B. Lipscomb, Tracy C. Rock

There are growing concerns among social studies professionals that social studies instruction is disappearing from elementary schools. These concerns have become more pressing as…

Lead By Example: The Impact of Teleobservation on Social Studies Methods Courses

Katherine A. O’Connor, Amy J. Good, H. Carol Greene

This teleobservation pilot study focuses on an innovative approach for the preparation of elementary social studies preservice teacher candidates through the use of interactive…

The Effect of 9/11 on Preservice Teachers’ Perspectives and Dispositions toward Global Concerns

Omiunota Nelly Ukpokodu

This paper reports on a three-year study that examined the effect of 9/11 on preservice teachers’ perspectives and dispositions toward global concerns and global perspective…

Influences on Social Studies Teachers’ Issue-Selection for Classroom Discussion: Social Positioning and Media

Khodadad (Khodi) Kaviani

This qualitative research explores factors that influence social studies teachers’ issue-selection for classroom discussion. Four high school teachers—three from an urban setting…

Aware, Complacent, Discouraged, Empowered: Students’ Diverse Civic Identities

Beth C. Rubin

Based on a qualitative study of civic discourse in four distinct school settings, this article describes how students’ civic identities—the sense of who one is as an American…

Using Family and Community History To Foster Historical Inquiry in the Elementary Grades

Kay A. Chick

This article highlights the use of family and community history in elementary social studies classrooms. Family history stories from early twentieth century Appalachia are shared…

How Is Today's Consumer Affected by the Use of Media in Advertising? A WebQuest

Amy Courtney, Mary E. Haas

Fifth graders will enjoy this WebQuest that challenges their understanding of the role that advertising plays in influencing youth. WebQuest makes use of the multiple types of…

Social Studies Methods Class as Crucible for K-8 Curricular Change: Considering the United States Constitution

Carolyn O’Mahony

This article describes the evolution of a study of the U.S. Constitution in a social studies methods class and its effects on teacher candidates and experienced colleagues in K-8…

Historical Scene Investigation (HSI): Engaging Students in Case Based Investigations using Web-Based Historical Documents

Kathleen Owings Swan, Mark Hofer, Lauren Gallicchio

The Historical Scene Investigation (HSI) project builds upon the work of a number of scholars to facilitate the application and acquisition of historical thinking skills in the…

Early Childhood Social Studies Learning for Social Justice

Lois McFadyen Christensen

Early childhood social studies students deserve to learn in a powerful, in-depth fashion about their interests with teachers who facilitate cognitive and affective growth…

Teaching for Social Mathematics: Exploring the Collaborative Roles of Social Studies and Mathematics Educators

Tony Thompson

Citizens today are inundated with quantitative information in an information-rich world. However, students rarely get the opportunity to use mathematics to explore social issues