Social Studies

• A Test-Taker's Vocabulary for Social Studies A student's understanding of technical and academic vocabulary can make or break performance on a test.
• Backward Mapping Strategies for Social Studies PlanningBackward mapping allows teachers to plan outcome-based instruction in a systematic and efficient manner. Find out how you can plan your next unit using backward mapping.
• Building Geography Competency with Classroom Communities US education officials were shocked when a survey of nine industrialized nations revealed that fewer than one in five U.S. adults (ages 18-24) could pinpoint Afghanistan on the world map, in spite of its recent prominence in the national news.
• Creating Standards-Based Lessons: Using Pre-AssessmentAssessing a student's skills and knowledge prior to each grading period can help focus teaching on the areas most needed.
• Developing a Social Studies WebQuest ProjectCreate a WebQuest for your social studies classroom with the steps outlined in this article.
• Differentiating Instruction in the Social Studies ClassroomSocial studies classes are the perfect setting for differentiating instruction.
• English Language Learners in Social Studies Understand why your English language learners need additional support in the social studies and the strategies that will help them succeed..
• Helping Students Answer Document-Based QuestionsDocument-based questions (DBQs) have become standard on many high-stakes social studies tests.
• Keeping Up with the Social StudiesFind out how you can keep up with every content area your are required to teach.
• Reading Improvement: Focus Social StudiesHelp your struggling readers improve their comprehension of social studies texts.
• Reading MapsKnowing how to read a map is a foundational skill in social studies.
• Test Prep in Social Studies: Focus on Critical ThinkingFocusing on critical thinking can help students excel on high-stakes tests. This article focuses on concrete steps that you can take to build these essential skills.
• The First-Person Historical Fiction Writing AssignmentFirst-person fiction writing assignments provide creative and fun ways for students to engage with the curriculum.