Dangerously Irrelevant

MAY 31, 2017

Some folks know that I started my education career as a middle school Social Studies teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. For instance, if I was teaching Social Studies today… My students and I definitely would be tapping into an incredible diversity of online resources. Washington University in St.

Social Studies 76

Social Studies Teaching Archiving Geography 76

C3 Teachers

MARCH 14, 2025

That search led us to the Inquiry Design Model (IDM), an approach that shifts Social Studies from rote memorization to deep, student-driven inquiry. Teachers grew as facilitators of inquiry, fostering discussions, debates, and deep analytical thinking** among students. IDM does just that.

Social Studies 40

Social Studies Public School Primary Sources Civic Engagement 40

Moler's Musing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

This week in 8th-grade social studies, we dove deep into the Constitutional Convention and the ratification debates, using a variety of EduProtocols to engage students and build understanding. To set the stage, I assigned an EdPuzzle that introduced the basics of the event.

Primary Sources 111

Primary Sources Government Critical Thinking History 111

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 4, 2013

You will hear from a science teacher, a social studies teacher, and an art teacher as each provides her take on how the Common Core and 21st Century learning goals affect what goes on in the classroom. Click HERE for description of the assignment. Common Core Standards Addressed: WHST.9-10.6;

Museum 315

Museum Archiving Social Studies History 315

Moler's Musing

JANUARY 24, 2025

This week in 8th-grade social studies, we brought history to life with engaging EduProtocols that helped students dive deep into the Early Republic and key moments like the Whiskey Rebellion. Wrapping Up with Gimkit We ended the class with a Gimkit featuring nine questions I pulled from the summative assessment for this unit.

Government 131

Government Social Studies Leadership History 131

Students of History

JANUARY 10, 2023

Many teachers avoid bringing current events into the classroom and often for good reason. However, current events are a great way to connect your curriculum to the real world and work on social studies skills. So, I encourage you to try - when relevant - to bring some current events into your lessons.

Social Studies 52

Social Studies Civics Critical Thinking World History 52

ED Surge

JANUARY 21, 2025

She teaches concepts as wide-ranging as American Sign Language, critical thinking, typing, conducting research and writing in cursive. When people outside of school ask you what you do say, at a social event how do you describe your work? Since 2010, I've been here as the school librarian and media specialist.

Library 101

Library Charter School Education Lesson Plan 101

Active History Teacher

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

The events in these timelines are often times not related, which leads to some great critical thinking! I love this game from Social Studies Success. Can students identify dates, who was president at the time, causes, key events and the effects of each war? Seriously, it’s my favorite.

History 195

History Critical Thinking Middle School Social Studies 195

ED Surge

MARCH 26, 2024

He still has that concern, but as he stepped back to think about it, he also saw a way to “leverage” the tool for a goal he had long fought for — to help bring social studies education, and especially the teaching of civics, to broader prominence in the nation’s schools. He has long argued that U.S.

Civics 134

Civics Controversial Topics Education Social Studies 134

Passion for Social Studies

JANUARY 14, 2024

Students will be sure to understand monumental events after completing this lesson. WW II and Cold War Unit The world has undergone so many significant events. They need to think deeply about the past and apply their critical thinking skills. So, this lesson provides everything students need.

Lesson Plan 130

Lesson Plan Critical Thinking History Social Studies 130

ED Surge

APRIL 3, 2024

Unfortunately, this portrayal isn't unique and reflects a broader issue with how social studies is perceived. By starting with a dramatic event that serves as a hook to draw students into the broader historical narrative, teachers can then make the details more engaging for students.

History 137

History Primary Sources Artifacts Social Studies 137

Students of History

JANUARY 3, 2023

It's the year 2023, and teaching social studies is more of a challenge than ever before. Between the students, administrators, parents, and the community, social studies teachers are feeling pressure from all directions. Another trend in social studies education is the emphasis on project-based learning.

Social Studies 52

Social Studies Teaching Historic Sites Primary Sources 52

Let's Cultivate Greatness

JULY 5, 2023

In the five classrooms I’ve had in my career, I’ve discovered the must-haves that make my social studies classes run smoothly. While many of these are universal tips for any middle or high school classroom, several are social studies-specific. Students have the thinking; they just need a word bank!

Social Studies 52

Social Studies Civics Sociology History 52

Let's Cultivate Greatness

DECEMBER 10, 2024

Its a bit complicated, which means it also offers great opportunities to practice critical thinking and social studies skills. Political cartoons are another way to quickly explore the president and their administrations major events and policies. My go-to is PoliticalCartoons.com because you can search by topic.

Civics 52

Civics Government Critical Thinking Social Studies 52

The Hechinger Report

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

What’s less clear is how prepared elementary school teachers are to put these seismic events into context. A look at the courses required by teacher preparation programs reveals scant attention to the broad social studies knowledge aspiring elementary teachers need to provide essential context to world events.

K-12 117

K-12 Civics Social Studies Geography 117

TCI

JANUARY 21, 2025

For instance, using a game to review the key events during the American Revolution can make the content more engaging and memorable for students. The three critical elements of a good game are strategy, chance, and design. Here are a few ideas: Use entrance/exit tickets with ciphers to keep students thinking critically.

K-12 52

K-12 Lesson Plan Critical Thinking Social Studies 52

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

This routine aims to scaffold the thinking process by breaking it down into manageable chunks, thereby facilitating rich classroom conversations or introspective thinking. The routine can be applied to various situations, from analyzing a piece of art to discussing a historical event.

Primary Sources 143

Primary Sources History Cultures Cultural Studies 143

Moler's Musing

AUGUST 23, 2024

My day begins with teaching two 65-minute social studies periods, followed by a plan period, co-teaching a reading workshop with an ELA teacher, and ending the day with two more 65-minute social studies classes. So far this school year is flying by. I’m really enjoying my new schedule. It makes for a nice day.

Artifacts 100

Artifacts History Social Studies Lesson Plan 100

The Hechinger Report

NOVEMBER 16, 2022

18, is holding in-person and virtual events at a “Climate Education Hub.” “We You have more critical thinking skills.”. The goal: making pre-K through higher education all around the world climate-ready — the buildings, yes, but also the curricula, the teachers and, of course, the students.

Civics 104

Civics High School Critical Thinking Social Studies 104

Leah Cleary

FEBRUARY 4, 2024

These can help you bring social studies to life for your students. Think of the Socratic Seminar not just as a teaching strategy but as a hotline to the past, bringing it alive in ways that can resonate with your students. I love the strategy, but why use them in a social studies class? And how do we do that?

Library 52

Library Critical Thinking History Social Studies 52

Leah Cleary

FEBRUARY 4, 2024

These can help you bring social studies to life for your students. Think of the Socratic Seminar not just as a teaching strategy but as a hotline to the past, bringing it alive in ways that can resonate with your students. I love the strategy, but why use them in a social studies class? And how do we do that?

Library 52

Library Critical Thinking History Social Studies 52

TCI

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Instead, video activities should demand interaction, critical thinking, and creativity. Enhances Critical Thinking Effective video teaching goes beyond just showing content; it integrates active learning elements that push students to think critically.

K-12 69

K-12 Critical Thinking Tradition Middle School 69

TCI

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Instead, video activities should demand interaction, critical thinking, and creativity. Enhances Critical Thinking Effective video teaching goes beyond just showing content; it integrates active learning elements that push students to think critically.

Teaching 52

Teaching Education K-12 Critical Thinking 52

TCI

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Instead, video activities should demand interaction, critical thinking, and creativity. Enhances Critical Thinking Effective video teaching goes beyond just showing content; it integrates active learning elements that push students to think critically.

Teaching 52

Teaching K-12 Critical Thinking Tradition 52

C3 Teachers

MAY 8, 2024

C3 Teachers followed six secondary and middle level preservice teachers at the University of Kentucky as they designed inquiries for their social studies methods class. Inquiries, too, can breathe new life into the events and people of the past. Social studies affords endless possibilities for inquiry.

Primary Sources 40

Primary Sources Social Studies Artifacts Museum 40

C3 Teachers

MAY 8, 2024

C3 Teachers followed six secondary and middle level preservice teachers at the University of Kentucky as they designed inquiries for their social studies methods class. Inquiries, too, can breathe new life into the events and people of the past. Social studies affords endless possibilities for inquiry.

Primary Sources 40

Primary Sources Social Studies Artifacts Museum 40

Let's Cultivate Greatness

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Next, I crowdsource a few more example countries that students can think of, supplementing as needed. Create Political Cartoon Stations For the next activity, I have gathered political cartoons of recent events that illustrate each of these government types. Students add these 3-4 examples to their notes.

Government 52

Government Teaching Civics Critical Thinking 52

The Hechinger Report

OCTOBER 30, 2019

Civics education had just become a required part of the curriculum in Massachusetts , and I looked forward to offering my students the tools and techniques needed for honest discussions and debates, teaching them critical thinking skills, and educating them about their duties as citizens.

Civics 97

Civics Charter School Government History 97

Zinn Education Project

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Hope Koumentakos High School Social Studies Teacher, Takoma Park, Maryland I currently teach U.S. Allyson Saladino High School Social Studies Teacher, Ridgewood, New Jersey I used the lesson titled, How Red Lines Built White Wealth , in order for students to learn about red lining and institutionalized racism.

History 52

History Teaching Social Studies High School 52

Students of History

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

While they're sometimes belittled, worksheets are an excellent tool for helping students analyze primary sources or better understand a historical event through a secondary source. These activities will include primary source analysis and critical thinking practice that is essential to getting kids ready for their assessments.

History 52

History Primary Sources Lesson Plan American History 52

The Hechinger Report

JANUARY 26, 2021

Deadlines for assignments in social studies in particular were tight, and he stopped handing them in. Laura Schad teaches social studies to seventh and eighth graders at Southwark School. Although she preferred social studies to math, she thought she might like to be a doctor, the kind “that delivers babies.”

High School 145

High School Social Studies K-12 Middle School 145

Zinn Education Project

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

A social studies teacher uses conflicting narratives to engage students in studying the history of Palestine and Israel, focusing on the events of 1948. Includes Q&A sections with extensive resources on “How do I answer students’ questions about current events in Israel and Gaza?”;

Teaching 52

Teaching K-12 Human Rights Social Justice 52

Cult of Pedagogy

MARCH 6, 2025

Her take on recent events surprised me because she sees some good that could come from them. Using these materials and others like it will continue to strengthen students’ growth and critical thinking skills. One social studies related word that will get their team to guess the word and each card is worth five points.

Teaching 171

Teaching K-12 Pedagogy Social Justice 171