Social Studies That Sticks: How to...
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The announcement that "It's social studies time" often elicits dread from students who mistakenly view the subject as a near-death experience. And who can blame them when this fas…
Book Summary
Social Studies That Sticks by Laurel Schmidt offers a brain-compatible approach to teaching social studies, using the learning cycle of awareness, exploration, inquiry, and action. This teacher's guide provides practical strategies to engage students, integrate primary sources, and foster active citizenship. It's a comprehensive resource for educators seeking to make social studies memorable and standards-based.
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About Social Studies That Sticks: How to...
In Social Studies That Sticks, Laurel Schmidt addresses the common student apathy toward social studies by introducing a brain-compatible instructional approach rooted in the human learning cycle: awareness, exploration, inquiry, and action. This comprehensive guide helps teachers transform social studies into a vibrant, standards-based subject that captivates students. Schmidt provides practical strategies for using primary sources, artifacts, art, and architecture as tools for inquiry. She also covers essential topics such as cultural perspective, bias, propaganda, and transforming current events into historical investigations. The book includes guidelines for essays, presentations, oral histories, and original historic writing, along with dozens of authentic assessments and the Learning Ledger for student self-assessment. With its emphasis on active citizenship and social justice projects, this user-friendly resource equips educators to bring content and concepts to life while sharpening students' questioning, thinking, reading, writing, and artistic skills.
Who should read Social Studies That Sticks: How to...?
This book is essential for K-12 social studies teachers, curriculum coordinators, and teacher educators who want to revitalize their instruction. It's ideal for educators seeking brain-compatible, standards-based strategies that foster student engagement and active citizenship. Whether you're new to the profession or a seasoned teacher looking for fresh approaches, this guide offers practical tools for integrating primary sources, inquiry, and social justice projects into your classroom.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Provides a clear, brain-compatible instructional framework (awareness, exploration, inquiry, action) that is easy to implement.
- ✓ Offers practical strategies for using primary sources, artifacts, and the arts to deepen student engagement.
- ✓ Includes dozens of authentic assessment ideas and the Learning Ledger for student self-assessment.
- ✓ Addresses important topics like cultural perspective, bias, and propaganda to promote critical thinking.
- ✓ Emphasizes active citizenship and social justice, helping students connect learning to real-world action.
Cons
- ✗ Some strategies may require significant preparation time and access to resources like primary source documents.
- ✗ The book's focus on social justice projects may not align with all school cultures or curriculum mandates.
- ✗ While comprehensive, the sheer volume of ideas could overwhelm teachers new to the approach.
- ✗ Examples and references may be dated, as the book was published in 2007.
- ✗ Limited direct alignment to specific state standards, requiring teachers to adapt content.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the main approach of Social Studies That Sticks?
The book introduces a brain-compatible approach based on the human learning cycle: awareness, exploration, inquiry, and action. This framework helps teachers design lessons that engage students deeply and make social studies memorable.
Does this book provide ready-to-use lesson plans?
While it doesn't offer scripted lesson plans, it provides numerous strategies, guidelines, and examples that teachers can adapt to their own curriculum and grade level.
Is this book suitable for elementary, middle, or high school teachers?
The strategies are adaptable across grade levels, but the book is most directly applicable to upper elementary through high school. Teachers may need to modify activities for younger students.
How does the book address standards-based instruction?
Schmidt identifies essential social studies themes, standards, and skills and shows how to integrate them into the learning cycle, ensuring that instruction remains standards-based while being engaging.
What is the Learning Ledger mentioned in the book?
The Learning Ledger is a tool for student self-assessment that helps students track their own learning progress and reflect on their understanding, promoting metacognition and ownership of learning.
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