This study explored the development of historical empathy in the social studies classroom by addressing the following question: Does the manner in which students are asked to express their historical conclusions impact their ability to exhibit empathy? The results of two different types of...

The article chronicles the use of a Civil War soldier's diary to teach Civil War history. The project was carried out over a two-semester period in a social studies pedagogy class. The professor and students in cooperative learning groups and whole group discussions interpreted the diary. In...

This paper presents an overview of what we have learned about the state of academic freedom in the public schools. It includes a rationale for the place of academic freedom in social studies classrooms, a perspective on the court system as recourse for teachers, and a call for action to protect...

This unit illustrates the role of trade books in teaching important social studies values and content. Using four trade books appropriate for use with elementary students, the unit examines behaviors of people identified as bullies, bystanders, and survivors who experienced the Holocaust as well...

This lesson plan can be used with upper-level elementary students to discuss the Irish potato famine and immigration to America by displaced peoples. It uses a trade book entitled Maggie’s Door to foster students’ consideration of people, places, and environments as well as individual...

In the wordless picture book Home by Jeannie Baker, we watch baby Tracy grow as her family and neighbors work together to gradually turn a cold unfriendly city street into a beautiful friendly place to call home. In this lesson designed for ages 4-8, students explore change over time in the book...

This study describes the complex state of social studies instruction in Ohio. It explores teacher conceptualizations of the purpose of social studies and the impact of state standards and high-stakes testing on the citizenship mission of social studies. Understanding the impact of state...

This collaborative study, conducted by two social studies teacher educators, examines how one university supervisor translates his theoretical commitment to transformative multiculturalism into his practice with student teachers. The value of this study is that it (1) illustrates the subtle...

The importance of learning how to disagree constructively has long been valued as a fundamental aspect of democratic life. Yet, while well-known discussion methodologies such as seminars, Structured Academic Controversy (SAC), and discussions of Controversial Public Issues (CPIs) foster...

This article examines the ways in which the authors of a text set of children’s literature constructed the United States government’s decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Analysis of this text set reveals the ways agency is mostly absent, displaced,...