Join Randi Stone as she visits the classrooms of award-winning teachers to observe their tried-and-true best practices for teaching social studies to elementary, middle school, and high school learners. Explore inquiry-based strategies for building student confidence and achievement as teachers demonstrate how students do oral histories, design individualized research projects, learn about geography and cultural diversity, become pro-active citizens who engage in service to their communities, engage in debates and Socratic dialogue, and much more. Best Practices for Teaching Social Studies is packed with lessons that work and ideas that will expand the instructional repertoires of new and veteran teachers.

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorAbout the ContributorsPart I. Elementary and Middle School1. Celebrating Our Constitution - Diana Schmiesing, Virginia2. Investigating Historical Objects and Pictures - Diana Schmiesing, Virginia3. Tasting - Sandra Noel, Illinois4. A Tale of a Whale - John Pieper, Wisconsin5. The Art of Social Studies/The Social Studies in Art - William Fitzhugh, Maryland6. Assembly-Line Lunches - Kari Debbink, Arizona7. The History Kids - Carol Glanville, Rhode Island8. Who Would You Help? - Kari Debbink, Arizona9. Exploring Diversity Through Technology - Marsha Mathias, South Carolina10. When They "Just Don¿t Get It" - Monique Wallen, FloridaPart II. High School11. Putting the "Social" Back Into Social Studies - Megan E. Garnett, Virginia12. A Social Studies Twist on the "Hemingway Challenge" - Megan E. Garnett, Virginia13. World War II Memories - Marguerite Ames, Vermont14. Life-Changing Field Trips - James Wade D¿Acosta, Connecticut15. Crafting Individualized Research Projects - James Wade D¿Acosta, Connecticut16. Promoting Citizenship - Teresa Heinhorst, Illinois17. Reflections From a High School History Teacher - Robert Rodey, Teacher, IllinoisIndex