Social Studies Research and Practice: Volume 8 Issue 2

Examining Historical (Mis)Representations of Christopher Columbus within Children’s Literature

J. H. Bickford III

Effective teaching, while supplemented by best practice methods and assessments, is rooted in accurate, age-appropriate, and engaging content. As a foundation for history content…

Thinking Historically about the Depression Era

Cory Callahan

In this space I complement an article published earlier in Social Studies Research and Practice 8(1), 2012 by providing a wise practice lesson and its ancillary materials. As…

GPS and Geography: Using Technology to Apply Geography with Middle Grade Students

Miguel Gómez

Despite the emphasis on 21st century learning in our schools, the use of technology and the opportunity to think creatively is often lacking in our social studies curriculum…

Using Contemporary Music to Teach Critical Perspectives of War

Gregory J. Soden, Antonio J. Castro

Although music can be used in social studies classrooms to give students a picture of society from different time periods, modern music of all genres can help students understand…

Social Justice 12: Negotiating Issues in and for a Democratic Society

Catherine Broom

I present the findings of a study with course developers, principals, teachers, and community members in British Columbia (BC), Canada, regarding their views of the course Social…

Teaching the Federal Budget, Debt, and Deficit Through Civics Courses

Anand R. Marri, Scott Wylie, Robert Shand, Maureen Grolnick, Timothy J. Huth, Louise Kuklis

This project presents an opportunity for high school social studies teachers to infuse content on the federal budget, national debt, and budget deficit into civics-courses. The…

I Am Different!: Can You Find Me?

Holly Hilboldt Swain, Cynthia Szymanski Sunal, Dennis W. Sunal

Using I Am Different!: Can You Find Me? allows students to explore multiple languages and cultures as they peruse the text to find similarities and differences in the…

Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage

Jennifer M. Troncale, Jennifer Strain

This multi-day lesson involves grade 2-grade 4 students in exploring the life and achievements of Susan B. Anthony. It provides opportunities for students to investigate events…

Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth

Karen Maloley

Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth is set in ancient Korea. This is a tale about a girl who painstakingly learns to sew a bojagi, or wrapping cloth, in order to be reunited with her…

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Sarah E. Montgomery, Lauren Hanzelka

After reading Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, students will discuss the life of Dave and the issues he faced growing up as a slave and an artist. Students will practice…

Follow That Map! A First Look at Mapping Skills

Lynn Kelley, Jodie Winship, Tina Turner

In Follow That Map! A First Look at Mapping Skills, a group of five diverse children search for their pets and take an exciting trip through the neighborhood, city and country…