I am a black woman. I majored in African American Studies in college. I wrote my dissertation on the integration of Africa-related topics in Georgia’s world history textbooks and curriculum. I used to look forward to Black History Month when I was younger because that was the only time I saw “me” in the school […]
social studies
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Fulfilling The Interdisciplinary Dream
The education world is all about buzzwords. From early classes in all disciplines to graduate level courses in specialized topics, practitioners are constantly throwing around terms like “differentiation”, “STEM” (now STEAM), “flipped classrooms”, “high-stakes testing”, “collaborative learning”, and “MOOCs”. These catchphrases live in the hearts and minds of professionals from first-grade math and high school […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Learning With Our Inner-Gamer: Using Board Games in the Social Studies Classroom
The idea of using games in the classroom has been a popular practice for teachers across varying disciplines for years. Board games have offered meaningful ways for teachers to easily captive students in learning experiences; scenario based games have offered teachers means to encourage students to think more deeply about topics; card games have offered […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines, High School, Social Studies
Our School Isn't ON with Service Learning on the Observance of Dr. King's Birthday
Inauguration Day falls on the legal public holiday for the birthday of Martin Luther King January 21, 2013. Whether this was coincidence or a conspiratorial plot,it is the second time that this holiday has coincided with a presidential inauguration. Do you remember President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1997? The observance of Dr. King’s birthday has been […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, Opinion, Social Studies, Uncategorized
In Defense of Affirmative Action: The Difference Between Opportunity & Results
This year begins with a very significant anniversary in the United States. One hundred fifty years ago, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It was probably one of the most significant documents ever entered into our Congressional Record based on the change it incited. As we return to school this new year after a […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Voices of our Past: How Primary Documents Can Make Lessons Come Alive
What if we could sit at the feet of Socrates and ask him philosophical questions? What if we could have a conversation about agricultural design with Thomas Jefferson, or about the rule of law with John Adams? What if we could sit in a room and listen to Frederick Douglass explain his experiences and […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, School Improvement, Social Studies
Civic Education: A Forgotten Subject in the World of High Stakes Testing
In this installment of the Civic Education Series, we look at the impact of standardized testing on social studies and civics curriculum. How Did We Get Here? (or, “Yay, History!”) The first half of the 20th century saw several major education “reform” efforts. The federal government inserted itself several times with major legislation, including Eisenhower’s […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Social Studies
Freedom on the Edge: Civic Education's Role in Preserving Democracy
This article starts a series of columns that will examine the importance of Civic Education for American students and a variety of ideas on how to teach Civics, even outside the Social Studies classroom. The General Election two weeks ago once again reminded Americans both of the thrill of democratic participation, and the frustration […]