Education Commons^™

Inquiry: Tragic Journeys Of Enslaved African People Exposed Through Shipwreck Archaeology, Janie Hubbard

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This article describes an inquiry lesson, recommended for upper elementary and middle level students. One primary aim of the lesson is to explore shipwreck archeology to focus on the overseas journeys of enslaved African people during the transatlantic slave trade. A second aim is for students to recognize how the slave trade’s exploiters caused sustained damage to the principles of Black equality, producing systemic racism for centuries and into contemporary times. In this lesson, students inquire and discover nuanced information about the historic slave trade by studying clues from sunken slave ships. Students begin by closely observing artifacts found in …

Coming Together Through Object Based Learning In A Pandemic, Brian Sheehy, Michael Sandstrom, John Heeg

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

In the summer of 2019, three history teachers from all over the US, met in France for National History Day’s Memorializing the Fallen program and commenced a lasting friendship. While in France, touring the WWI cemeteries, memorial sites, and museums, we all realized the importance of experience-based learning and the seeds were sown for our interest in object based learning. Aside from the philosophical and pedagogical discussions on long bus rides and our passion for history, we shared a belief in the importance of revitalizing history education and helping it to evolve in the face of our twenty-first century world. …

Reflections On Being A Historian And Teaching History In The Midst Of Historic Times, Bonnie Laughlin-Schultz

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

As a historian and coordinator of a secondary social studies licensure program, I have spent the last few months working with teachers and others to gather documentary evidence about the experience of COVID-19 in my state. I felt compelled to gather documents as a historian. Collecting written and digital materials made me think (and talk with teachers and their students) about the nature of historical documentary evidence, past and present. The sources that document a community’s experience of this global pandemic are diverse: video of a birthday parade, a photo of a yard sign recognizing that a high school graduate, …

Deliberation On The Public Good During Covid-19: A Case Study Examining Elementary Students’ Use Of Civic Perspective-Taking, William Toledo, Esther Enright

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Abstract

Building on prior research on place-based social studies instruction (Toledo, 2017; 2020), this study specifically looks at data from six third-grade teachers who designed and implemented a civics curriculum focused on engaging students with a unit on locally-relevant public issues. The ten-lesson unit that the teachers and research team collaboratively developed was taught in six classrooms across a large school district. A central public issue in the unit was travel across borders during COVID-19, or simply the coronavirus as it was commonly referred to at the time. Students also considered tensions between immigration and containment of contagious illnesses through …

Beyond Pandemic Pedagogy: Thoughts On Deconstruction, Structure, And Justice Post-Pandemic, Samantha Cutrara

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploring Cold War Religious Persecution Using The Rank-Order Approach, Jeffrey M. Byford, Brian K. Horn, John Grant, Cort Casey, Sherrie Hopper

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This lesson explores religious persecution in East Germany. Students must decide plausible actions to take against the Protestant Church to diminish power. Acting as a member of The East German Secret Police, students, evaluate, rank, and justify decisions to minimalize Christianity in an atheist society.

Facilitating Experiential Learning Experiences Through A Class Pioneer Day, Ronald Vaughan Morris

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Students experience a reenactment of life on the frontier created by the interaction of their teachers and community volunteers. Students in elementary social studies learn content, skills, values, and dispositions through engaging in experiential learning. The classroom environment is described through a case study of one classroom of fourth grade students with an experienced teacher with deep roots in the community. Teachers develop skills in negotiation with volunteers to accomplish tasks that support student learning. Descriptions of student and teacher preparations in addition to budgetary constraints describe how to replicate the experience. Examples and assessments are provided as well as …

Researching The U.S. Role In Foreign Politics With The Bricker Amendement, Jeremiah Clabough

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The United States has always been conflicted about its role in international affairs. There are many historical examples where these divergent beliefs can be examined. One ideal topic students can research to analyze Americans’ conflicting beliefs about the country’s role in international affairs is the Bricker Amendment. In this article, I explore how activities about the Bricker Amendment allow high school students to examine different perspectives about the U.S. role in international affairs. The steps and resources needed to implement the activity in my article are provided.

Developing Social Justice Skills Through Community Service-Learning In High School Social Studies, Sharehann T. Lucman

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Social studies teachers are presented with the challenging yet rewarding task of cultivating in their students' principles and competencies essential for democratic and social-justice-oriented citizenship. Inspired and guided by literature on social justice education and community service-learning, this study suggests that social studies teachers ought to consider integrating teaching methods that are experiential, participatory, and critical in nature. An example of such a method is community service-learning. As illustrated in this study, community service-learning activities afford students the unique opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills on social justice in authentic social situations.

Using a descriptive and textual analysis approach, …

Planning For Student Initiative: Creating A Digital Textbook, Ronald Vaughan Morris

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Undergraduate students enrolled in a university class created an elementary social studies book delivered to computers, personal communication devices, and tablets. Students worked in an interdisciplinary team to create the interactive platform. The students worked with both university and community partners to create the text. The study presented described both the content and the process of student generation of material followed by community member review, and the revision cycle used by the students to create features and components of the text materials. A variety of false starts and marketing challenges reflect the obstacles undergraduate students face when creating marketable products …

Juxtaposing Primary- And Intermediate-Elementary Trade Books’ Historical Representation Of Amelia Earhart, Rachael A. Burkhardt

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Amelia Earhart can be used in the classroom not only to interest students but can also be used to cover Common Core State Standards (CCSS), National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) framework, and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). When teaching Amelia Earhart, textbooks, trade books, and primary sources can be used, however one must be careful with the misrepresentations each resource can portray. To look at what is misrepresented, omitted, and included within primary and intermediate grade level trade books, 32 books were scrutinized. The trade books being analyzed were found to have some historically representative and misrepresentative elements …

Wise-Practice Use Of Visual Primary Sources: Towards A More Interactive Presentation Of Content, Lamont E. Maddox, James B. Howell, Cory Callahan

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Modern citizens are often confronted by visual social media seeking to persuade or influence their opinion on public issues. In order for students to develop civic competence, they must be able to evaluate visual data. An interactive slide lecture using four to five strategically-chosen visuals holds promise for developing students’ interpretive skills, but this strategy can be difficult to implement. In this article, we share a collaboratively designed educative primer or teacher scaffold created in response to the challenges experienced by “Amelia” as she implemented an interactive slide lecture with 7^th grade students. Our intent in sharing the primer …

Hello From The Other Side: Social Studies Faculty Teaching Biography Within State History Courses, Aubrey B. Southall Phd, Lauren Y. Bradshaw Phd

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This paper explores the opinions and interests of pre-service social studies students at two universities enrolled in a state history course taught by a socials studies faculty member. Findings include similar motivation for learning state history and opinions on interactive history lessons, while showcasing different interests in historic figures.

Classroom Culture In The Social Studies Classroom: The Abilities Of Preservice Teachers, Sarah J. Kaka

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The purpose of this study was to explore how secondary students interpret the classroom culture that preservice social studies teachers create during their student teaching semester. This question was answered by examining results of a survey of secondary social studies students that allowed them to evaluate the classroom culture their social studies preservice teacher created. A Student Perception Survey was used for the study, which loaded four main indicators of classroom culture. Through descriptive statistical analysis of the survey results, this study found that secondary social studies students believed their preservice teachers were most adept at creating a student-centered classroom, …

The History Curriculum And Inculcation Of National Consciousness In History Students In Ghana, Charles Adabo Oppong

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Abstract

National consciousness plays an important role in socio-economic and political developments in many nations. Mostly, national consciousness promotes national unity, sustainable development, peace, respect for diversity, patriotism, and others. Undoubtedly, most of the variables mentioned are acquired through the study of national history. This study stems from the motivation to find out whether the Ghanaian senior high school history curriculum addresses the canons identified as variables of national consciousness. The study, therefore, aimed at examining the content of the Ghanaian history syllabus, as a curriculum document, whether it inculcates national consciousness or otherwise. 125 Form Three history students in …

Analyzing Source Preferences In Student Writing When Integrating Diverse Texts, Lauren Covington

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This article examines the sources cited by sixth grade who had been exposed to multiple sources pertaining to a historical topic. The purpose of this study was to determine whether students exhibited a preference for specific types of sources when constructing and demonstrating knowledge about historic events, figures, or a specific time period. A total of 46 students participated in the study which extended over eight class periods of approximately 50 minutes each. During these class periods students constructed knowledge about historical figure, Rosa Parks, and the events of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Students were presented with a variety of …

Embracing The Past: Transatlantic Slave Trade In Ghana And The Holocaust In Germany, Anitha Oforiwah Adu-Boahen, Justina Akansor

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The history of the transatlantic slave trade and the holocaust is a history of different cultures, which explains the diverse and growing efforts to remember these phenomena. This paper compared how the transatlantic slave trade and holocaust are embraced through memory culture, specifically looking at monuments available in Germany and Ghana to represent them, how they are taught in schools and whether they are being discussed. To do this various holocaust and slave trade sites were visited within Ghana and Germany to illicit how these monuments help people to learn about, and embrace these events. Interview guide and focus group …

Elementary Students Socially Construct Their Own Historically-Grounded Wordless Picture Books, Deborah Wooten, Jeremiah Clabough, Emily Blackstock

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The C3 Framework by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) has placed an emphasis on elementary social studies teachers strengthening their students’ content-area literacy skills. One tool that can be paired with primary sources to accomplish this goal is wordless picture books. In this article, we discuss a one week project where a fourth grade teacher used primary sources and wordless picture books to explore the Fugitive Slave Act of the 19^th century. This one week project culminated in groups creating their own historically-grounded wordless picture book. The steps and resources needed to implement this one week …

Inquiry: Susan B. Anthony And Frederick Douglass, Janie Hubbard

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This article describes an inquiry lesson, recommended for grades 4-6, which explores Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass’ 45 year relationship as allies, fighting for equal rights for African Americans and women during the 1800's. The lesson uses the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Notable Trade Book for Young People award winner, Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglass. Highlighted in the story line are the abolitionist movement, U.S. Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, Susan’s famous 1872 arrest for voting, and the 13^th, 15^th, and 19^th Amendments to the …

An Evaluation Of Mississippi Public School Websites, Lindon J. Ratliff 8911034

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Websites are well-established forms of digital communication in use by both the public and private sector. An effective website is an educational tool public school districts can utilize in their efforts to communicate with stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of website utilization and the components of websites used by public school districts in Mississippi. To determine the components in use by public schools in the State, a search of 143 school district websites occurred September 2017. To assess the quality of the websites, we used a checklist to evaluate content and design features that, …

Representation Of The Titanic In Children's Literature, Charity R. Huwe

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

State and national education initiatives are the driving force behind increased exploration of diverse texts, namely informational texts. Trade books offer opportunity for interdisciplinary units to develop through the rise of informational text use in both English/language arts and history/social studies. Primary source documents serve as a liaison to filing gaps in the information left out from textbooks and trade books. A more thorough understanding of historical figures and events are a result of such analysis. The initiatives do not dictate specific curricular material; teachers use their discretion when choosing available trade books, primary documents, and other curricular resources. In …

Fifth Grade Students’ Disciplinary Literacy Using Diverse Primary And Secondary Sources, Tara L. Richeson

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This study analyzed students’ use of diverse sources for a history-based writing assignment on Abraham Lincoln. Participants includes 41 students in a fifth grade self-contained classroom in rural Illinois. The study was conducted during students’ 30-minute writing period, every day for six weeks. During this time period, students close-read trade books and primary sources to collect research on Lincoln. Students also gathered additional information during their field trip to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Students synthesized their information from the various sources and organized the notes to write an informational, history-based writing piece on Lincoln. Students were required …

Assessing History Students’ Historical Skills In The Cape Coast Metropolis Of Ghana, Charles Adabo Oppong

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This study assesses history students’ historical skills in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. The specific skills assessed were document literacy and evaluative skills. In assessing these skills, two instruments were employed: the use of a test and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide. Students were tested to examine their skills in using historical documents under sourcing, contextualisation and corroboration. FGD was used to investigate how students evaluate historical evidence. The data analysis of the students’ test consisted of three stages. The first stage involved marking the responses while making notes on them, the second stage included writing a single …

Dramatic Monologues And The C3 Framework: An Oscar-Winning Pair, Rebecca Macon Bidwell

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Dramatic monologues offer an innovative tool for social studies teachers to integrate exciting teaching practices that align with the C3 Framework published by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS, 2013). The author describes a form of dramatic monologues called historical brags and whines. These types of monologues engage students by allowing them to play the roles of historical figures. Students investigate and write in the voices and mannerisms of people from the past. These activities described in this article help students practice skills such as research and analysis as described in the C3 Framework. The necessary steps to …

Perspective Taking Through An Elementary Unit On Lewis And Clark, Ronald V. Morris

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The teachers showed the perspectives students acquired through reading and comparing narratives. Teachers helped students work toward the common good in a democracy by helping the student to examine perspectives. In their reading and writing, they developed rich background and content about the experience. When students studied these explorers, the students developed an empathetic understanding for the hardships and sacrifices madeby the Corps of Discover as they traveled on this expedition. Student interest and motivation flowed into this project because they felt the problems as their own; they, therefore, were interested when they understood what it meant and found …

Examining The Myth Of Antebellum Glory Through Confederate Memorials, James D. Nunez

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Recent events surrounding Confederate statues and monuments reveals a serious problem in the way people of differing political beliefs contend with controversial issues. In this manuscript, the author provides steps and resources to utilize Confederate monuments and memorials as a method of developing student political identity through historical thinking. The article demonstrates student examination of primary and secondary resources relating to the motivation for more than 1700 Confederate monuments that are constructed throughout the Southern United States. They use a mural found within the courthouse of a major city in Alabama created in the 1930’s that critics argue is veneration …

Integration Of Project-Based Learning In Elementary Social Studies, Arren Swift

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The marginalization of social studies education in elementary schools has been well documented. To provide meaningful social studies education to elementary students we must find ways to integrate social studies into other content areas. The application of project-based learning complements the process of cross-curricular integration. This article provides a rationale for this approach and a sample lesson to help clarify the process.

Philanthropy At Parkside Elementary School: The Kindness Project, Ron Morris

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Democratic citizenship reflected an underlying philosophy of interactions between competing values such as enculturation, invention, community, individuality, order, and freedom. Students who did not investigate the underlying values of their service learning participated in indoctrination programs an idea repugnant in democratic education. Teachers provided students with opportunities to think and question as they practiced the skills they used as a citizen in the community. Fourth grade students engaged in a service learning project reflected the experience of democratic citizenship. Students navigated these values in service learning project to learn to enrich the commonwealth of their classroom, school, and extended community …

Through Their Eyes: Perspective Taking Activities For Social Studies Classes, William Gary Cole, Gary Padgett

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Perspective taking activities have been shown to yield a number of positive effects for students across disciplines. In this article, the authors provide two ready-to-teach lessons plans that encourage perspective taking through research, critical thinking, and creativity. By asking students to view history through the eyes of the people who lived it, these activities help students think deeply and creatively about social studies content.

Using Trade Books To Identify And Change Discriminatory Practices, Monisha Moore

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Elementary students need opportunities to explore social justice issues in their classrooms. They also need to examine text to analyze historical figures’ values, biases, and beliefs. Using trade books is one method to expose students to multiple perspectives in a diverse world. Having students identify, analyze, and address discriminatory practices through trade books equips them with the skills necessary to build empathy and address oppressive systems.