Teaching Social Studies in Middle and Secondary Schools

This comprehensive introduction to teaching social studies to middle and secondary school students includes many new ideas for teaching in our 21st century classrooms.  Continuing the tradition of social studies innovator Peter Martorella and taking a constructivist approach, the authors address current issues such as diversity, technology, inclusion, and teacher certification.  Martorella believed that the fundamental purpose of social studies should be the development of reflective, competent, and concerned citizens.  The goal of the book is to assist preservice and inservice middle and secondary teachers in becoming more effective teachers of social studies.  To do this, the authors draw on theory, research, and the wisdom of experienced teachers.     The text is organized in three parts:  the origins of social studies, developing reflective and concerned citizens, and analyzing and improving the teaching of social studies.  The book continues to address the need of helping students to develop a global perspective and become open-minded reflective citizens of the world.  The blend of teacher insight, current research findings, and well-grounded theories give new and experienced educators the foundation they need to nurture and sustain effective social studies instruction.

Table of Contents:
PART I            THE STATE OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION   Chapter 1    Alternative Perspectives on the Social Studies The Origins and Evolution of the Social Studies Alternative Definitions of the Social Studies The Contemporary Social Studies Teacher Chapter 2    Contemporary Social Studies Citizenship Education as the Purpose of the Social Studies Alternative Perspectives on a Curriculum for Effective Citizenship Education The Enduring Goal of the Social Studies Curriculum: Reflective, Competent, and Concerned Citizens Chapter 3    Teaching and Learning Social Studies Engaging Students in Constructing Knowledge The Social Sciences as Sources of Subject Matter for the Social Studies Other Sources of Subject Matter for the Social Studies The School and Community as Sources of Social Data Identifying Professional Resources   PART II            DEVELOPING REFLECTIVE, COMPETENT, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS   Chapter 4    Organizing and Planning for Teaching Social Studies Basic Issues in Planning Social Studies Instruction Social Studies Goals for Instruction Social Studies Objectives for Instruction Organizing Subject Matter into Units Organizing Subject Matter into Lessons Classrooms as Environments for Learning Creating and Managing the Classroom Environment Balancing Goals and Objectives in the Curriculum: Linking the Head, the Hand, and the Heart Guidelines for Social Studies Program Development Variety in Instructional Planning Chapter 5    Engaging Students in Learning Through Small Groups, Questions, Role Playing, and Simulations Grouping Students for Learning Using Structured Questions to Aid Learning Engaging Students in Role Playing and Simulations Chapter 6    Promoting Reflective Inquiry: Developing and Applying Concepts, Generalizations, and Hypotheses Learning and Teaching Concepts Learning and Teaching Facts and Generalizations The Reflective Citizen and Problem Solving Chapter 7    Fostering Citizenship Competency The Nature of Citizenship Skills Social Skills Research and Analysis Skills Chronology Skills Spatial Skills Identifying and Using Reference Sources in Developing Skills Activities for Introducing Reference Materials Chapter 8    Social Concern in a Globally and Culturally Diverse World Social Concern and Citizenship Education The Dimensions of Concern Instructional Strategies for Examining Beliefs, Attitudes, and Values Social Issues as a Curricular Focus Multicultural Education Current Affairs Academic Freedom in the Classroom   PART III            ANALYZING AND IMPROVING SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHING AND LEARNING   Chapter 9    Comprehending, Communicating, and Remembering Subject Matter Comprehending Social Studies Subject Matter Reading and Social Studies Text Materials Communicating Social Studies Subject Matter Remembering Social Studies Subject Matter English as a Second Language (ESL) Chapter 10    Using Technology to Enhance Social Studies Instruction Integrating Technology into Today's Classroom Internet Applications for Social Studies Instruction Software Applications for the Social Studies Classroom Personal Digital Assistants in the Social Studies Classroom Technology Challenges Emerging Technologies: Challenges of the Future Chapter 11    Adapting Social Studies Instruction to Individual Needs Matching Social Studies Instruction to Students' Developing Capabilities Social Studies for the Middle Years High School Social Studies Individualized Instruction and Individual Differences Individual Styles of Thinking and Learning Organizing the Classroom for Individualized Instruction Using Jackdaws ®, Artifact Kits, and Teacher-Made Materials for Individualizing Instruction Equity for Those with Disabilities Equity for the Gifted Chapter 12    Evaluating and Assessing Student Learning The Dimensions of Evaluation The Use and Misuse of Tests Performance Assessments Teacher-Made Paper-and-Pencil Tests Evaluating Reflection, Competence and Concern A Framework for Evaluating the Outcomes of Social Studies Instruction   Appendix A    NCSS Standards and Performance Expectations Appendix B    Sample of a Social Studies Textbook Evaluation Form