Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education Commons^™

A Holocaust-Based Investigative Project: Historical Research For Secondary School Students, David Lindquist

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Personalizing the Holocaust, that is, moving a study of the event beyond the staggering numbers that often play a central role in units about the Shoah to a focus that is meaningful for students, is a necessary factor in planning effective curricula about the topic. This article outlines an internet-based research project in which a personal bond develops between students and individuals whose lives were changed forever by the Holocaust. In addition, the project allows students to practice research skills that can be transferred to the study of other historical topics.

Review Of "Fateful Lightning: A New History Of The Civil War And Reconstruction", Christopher Babits

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Teaching Lincoln K-12 Workshop: Knowledge Gains And Teaching Intentions, Caroline Pryor, Brandt Pryor

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This mixed methods study evaluated a professional development workshop for teachers funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). NEH’s online evaluation found that most teachers believed the workshop to be an extraordinary learning experience, but information about teacher knowledge gain and their intended use of this knowledge was needed. An in-house study evaluated the workshop’s four major areas: (a) content scholars, (b) advance readings, (c) museum scholars, and (d) Lincoln Landmarks. For each area, the study measured (a) the utility for the teacher’s instruction, (b) the amount of knowledge gained in the workshop, and (c) the likelihood that …

Keeping Social Studies Alive In The Elementary Classroom: Countering The Effects Of Nclb In Southwestern Illinois Schools, Bethany Hill-Anderson, Andria Harrison, Andrea Tardino

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This research project focuses on collaborative partnerships between university faculty, graduate students, and local cooperating teachers. Pre-service teachers surveyed cooperating teachers (N=30) regarding their opinions and practices in social studies education. The data led to positive changes in a university methods course and increased pedagogical skills for teacher candidates.

This venture is a model of effective collaboration between university faculty, graduate students, pre-service teachers, and cooperating teachers who have worked together to gain a deeper understanding of the purpose and challenges faced by social studies educators. The overall goal of the project is to promote social studies education for all …

Review Of "Cartographies Of Time: A History Of The Timeline", Robert Paulett

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Review Of "The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln And American Slavery", Mary Lopez

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Engagement In The History Classroom: Problem-Based Learning And Primary Sources, Lauren Seghi

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Too often today, students have to sit idly in a history classroom listening to a lecture or reading out of a textbook which is why many people in society (adults and children alike) do not like or understand the complexity of history. This article argues that in order for students to be engaged in "doing" history in the classroom, they need to take part in problem-based learning (pbl) activities using primary sources from the past.

Teaching Social Structure In A Poststructural Classroom: A (Mild) Defense Of An Economic Deterministic Approach, Cory Blad

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Teaching social structure is difficult due to the fact that these supposed influences are regularly invisible and often function without the knowledge of those being influenced. At the same time, most of us – in particular undergraduate college students – are resistant to the idea that our actions and choices are somehow constrained or influenced. This essay examines the challenge of teaching social structure to potentially resistant groups and defends the use of a common budget-based exercise to connect students to the potential of structural constraints on individual action.

The Untruth Of Truth: A Suggestion For Teaching In The Information Age, Angelo Letizia

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The notion of representation has entertained philosophers and thinkers for centuries. How can anything, any idea, any concept or object truly be represented by a language, institution, idea or image? In the information age, the notion of representation is even more pressing. Twenty-four hour news feeds, YouTube, social media, government propaganda, iPhones, the media, the advertising industry and other agencies and devices disseminate a seemingly infinite amount of images that portend to represent something, from consumer products to political intentions. However, more times than not, supposed truths do not correspond to any underlying reality because they no longer need to. …

Review Of "Blood Work: A Tale Of Medicine And Murder In The Scientific Revolution", Michelle Stacy

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Preparing History Teachers And Scholars?: Content Exams And Teacher Certification From The Progressive Era To The Age Of Accountability, Richard Hughes

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

In recent decades states have mandated brief, multiple-choice exams to assess the content knowledge of history teachers for certification. Despite the efforts of college professors to assess student learning through research papers, essay exams, and other assignments, the ability of college students to graduate and become certified to teach history depends on a passing score on a small number of multiple-choice questions. The overlooked story of how standardized testing came to shape the certification of history teachers began at least 80 years before federal legislation such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Used in almost every state, such exams undermine …

Applying The Jigsaw Technique To The Mississippi Burning Murders: A Freedom Summer Lesson, Lindon Joey Ratliff

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The purpose of this article is to assist social studies teachers with integrating the Jigsaw technique to the Civil Rights movement. Designed in 1971, the Jigsaw Technique was created to combat racism and assist with encouraging cooperative learning. It is the sincere hope of this author that this sample lesson will ultimately assist educators in the creation of stronger units dealing with civil rights. An overview of the Jigsaw Technique, review of the Mississippi Burning Murders and teaching strategies are provided.

Teachers And Librarians Collaborate: Teaching About Family And Community Through Children’S Literature, M. Gail Hickey, Margit Codispoti

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Through the use of children’s books about family and community, students have opportunities to learn about people, culture, traditions, values, and everyday lives similar to and different from their own. A Children’s Special Collection Librarian and a teacher educator worked together to help teachers use Patricia Polacco's books to teach about family and community, and enable students to explore realistic and memorable examples of the cultures of diverse peoples within their own community.

Locating Sociological Concepts In Business Games, Dylan Kissane, Helen Roux-Fontaine

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This article describes one strategy for demonstrating the value of sociological concepts to business students by adopting a transversal approach to a business game at a French-American business school. This strategy proved effective in allowing a social science professor to demonstrate the practical implications of two concepts – gender and race – to undergraduate students while simultaneously allowing an international management professor to demonstrate how cross-cultural teams should be managed in order to work effectively. This article firstly explains the Ecotonas business game; secondly, it explains the crucial debriefing process for the business game and demonstrates how sociological concepts can …

Review Of "The Last Pagans Of Rome", Keith Baker

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Teacher Interpretations Of Moneyskill®, Thomas Lucey, Elizabeth White, Aline André

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

While much scholarship concerns the efforts to teach children and youth about personal finances, much less, if any, research concerns efforts of practicing teachers to evaluate and interpret financial curricula for schools. This paper conveys the results of a research study that interpreted teachers’ responses the high school modules associated with the Moneyskill® online education program. A convenience sample of teachers enrolled in a graduate level diversity course as a large teacher education institution in the Midwest completed assigned MoneySKILL modules and participated in group online reflections. Participants in the study interpreted the content as appropriate and relevant. They also …

Review Of "Innovations In Economic Education: Promising Practices For Teachers And Students, K-16", Stephen H. Day

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Curriculum Review: The Understanding Fiscal Responsibility Lesson Materials, Scott W. Dewitt, Nick Dilley

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

We Shall See: Critical Theory And Structural Inequality In Economics, Neil Graham Shanks

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

This paper seeks to provide educators with a critique of dominant narratives through the disciplinary tools of economics. Specifically; issues of race, gender, and geography are addressed via the common economic subjects of fiscal and monetary policy, economic indicators, wages, and economic growth. By providing a practical blueprint for a more critical curriculum in economics, these lessons and the literature that supports them demonstrates the potential of teachers to challenge taken-for-granted notions of what economics is and what it is for.

Teaching Unemployment Across The Curriculum, Natalia Smirnova

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

The Economics-Across-the-Curriculum approach encourages the integration of economic concepts into various disciplines. This paper describes several creative lesson ideas about teaching Unemployment which were field-tested by high-school teachers who attended a multi-day workshop at a not-for-profit institution in Massachusetts. We hope that these ideas will inspire high school teachers to try them in their classrooms. Any subject area can be a fruitful ground for the infusion of economics, economic text analyses, or quantitative literacy concepts.

Noodlenomics: Using Pool Noodles To Teach Supply And Demand, Jennifer Leigh Logan, Marsha Clayton

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Supply and demand is a fundamental part of economics at the junior high school, high school and college level. Although it is very important for students to understand and apply this analytical tool, many are turned off by the graph as well as the labels needed. This paper offers techniques for making supply and demand easier for students to comprehend. The classroom activities are mainly designed for teachers of middle school and high school economics, but can also be used as a fun and easy introduction to the concept in a college classroom as well.

Review Of "The Roman Guide To Save Management: A Treatise By Nobleman Marcus Sidonius Falx", Allison Thomason

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Introduction To The Special Issue Of The Councilor On Economic Education, Mary Beth Henning

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Written by the guest editor, Mary Beth Henning, this is the introduction to the special issue of The Councilor focused on economic education.

Researching The Historical Representations Of Ancient Egypt In Trade Books, Lieren Schuette

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

State and national education initiatives require that historical information be introduced in the classroom through the utilization of multiple diverse texts. The role of non-fiction in the English/language arts classroom, as well as informational texts in the history/social studies classroom, increased considerably. The use of trade books allows teachers to connect the two curricula, while also meeting the standards. Primary sources can assist in filling the informational gap left by trade books and textbooks, which allow students to gain a more balanced view of historical events. Teachers, however, are not given direction as to which specific curricular materials are most …

Historical Representation Of Jackie Robinson Within Primary And Intermediate Level Trade Books, Amy Minor

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Educators today meet national and state initiatives by spending approximately half their time on non-fiction literature. Starting as early as primary grades students are to analyze multiple texts on the same historical topic. Student’s reading levels vary; consequently, trade books can be used to reach each individual child. Due to this, trade book usage has increased. Research indicates trade books can contain possible historical misrepresentations. Few studies have been completed, therefore more research is necessary. My research examined the historical representation of Jackie Robinson within trade books for primary and intermediate grades. After determining events in reading the historical research …

Trade Books’ Representations Of Benjamin Franklin, A Life Of Reinvention, Alyson Diver Thompson

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

State and national education standards require teachers to introduce historical topics through multiple diverse texts, with emphasis on informational texts. Historical based trade books allow teachers to meet both English/language arts standards as well as history/social studies standards. Primary sources help provide students with a balanced view of history that may not be covered in textbooks and trade books, allowing students to gain a more complete and accurate understandings. The standards allow educators the flexibility to select trade books and primary sources for their classrooms. My research empirically evaluated how Benjamin Franklin is represented in children’s trade books, a figure …

Documenting Local History: Using The Library Of Congress Site, Primary Sources, And Community Resources For Teaching Social Studies, Mary Ann Hanlin, Chris Herridge, Katie Janovetz, Cindy Alcaraz, David Mcmullen, Dean Cantù, Sherrie Pardieck

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

In the 2011 academic school year, a central Illinois jr. high school and a private university initiated a partnership to create a local history research project. Through a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Project at the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, teachers and professors collaborated to identify information for research and design the inquiry’s final product for the project. Through the guidance of their teachers, seventh and eighth grade students accessed the Library of Congress resources and town primary sources for research. Historical inquiry included the identification of the town’s origination and important …

The Historical Representation Of Native Americans Within Primary- And Intermediate-Level Trade Books, John Holden Bickford, Lori A. Knoechel

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

State and national education initiatives require significant changes for public schools beginning at the earliest grade levels and within all content areas. Two relevant changes are the increase of non-fiction in English/language arts and the mandate for diverse texts within history/social studies. History-based trade books are a logical resource for both curricula. Teachers must rely on their discretion when selecting trade books because the initiatives do not provide curricular support. Research indicates trade books’ cultural representation and historical representation are inconsistent, yet there is a need for further research as just over a dozen empirical studies have been completed. This …

Historical Representation Of Immigration In Intermediate Elementary And Middle Grade Trade Books, John Holden Bickford, Stephanie J. Meier

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Education initiatives require social studies, history, and civics teachers integrate multiple texts from diverse perspectives and English, reading, and language arts educators spend half their allotted time on non-fiction. The changes are not accompanied with ready-made curricula, which will likely increase the place of non-fiction trade books in various curricula. Historical misrepresentations appear in trade books, yet most topics have not been empirically examined. This inquiry explores trade books’ historical representation of immigration and immigrants’ experiences. The data pool was organized by books intended for students in Intermediate Elementary (3-5) and Middle Grades (6-8), which enabled consideration of spiraling and …

Helping Develop Students’ Civic Identities Through Exploring Public Issues, Jeremiah Clabough

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Social studies teachers need to prepare students for their many roles and responsibilities as future citizens. This includes being able to analyze politicians’ recommendations about public issues and then making informed decisions on candidates and policies to support. In this manuscript, the author provides the steps and resources for an activity that builds students’ civic identity. Through the activity, students examine both Republicans and Democrats’ solutions to healthcare. They use the 2016 party platforms to complete this activity. Through all of the steps of this activity, students start to develop their own political identities about ways to address issues that …