At the same time teachers and administrators grapple with how to develop teachers' understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, recent legislative sessions have unleashed a flood of legislation that seeks to limit teachers from teaching about race, racism, oppression, and injustice in U.S. schools. Teachers are struggling…

Drawing on my experiences as a former classroom teacher making the transition to teacher education, this study examines how my vision of teacher education developed over the course of my first three years as a graduate teaching assistant in a social studies education program in the United States. A qualitative self-study methodology was used to…

Online discussions enabled preK-12 teachers (n = 125) from five nations (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and the United States) to share their perspectives of culture and citizenship and the intersections of those concepts. Discussion moved between elements of personal and others' theory into effects of theory on practice. Teachers identified…

A rabbi and educator shows how moral education can be crafted to address each of the three main branches of the moral life: philosophy, civics, and ethics. Although adolescents roll their eyes at adult platitudes, they love to grapple with sticky moral issues, and they value teachers who nurture their growth as moral decision-makers. Instead of…

Social work doctoral candidates and others without much or any formal teaching experience or training are frequently invited to teach a variety of graduate-level social work courses. This beginning teaching experience can be quite challenging both personally and professionally. Yet, it is seldom discussed in the literature, especially from a…

This case study addressed issues of ESL mainstreaming by examining a teacher's experiences and needs in teaching a social studies class where ESL students were mainstreamed. Extended observations, semistructured interviews, and documentary analysis served to unravel classroom dynamics, showing that the teacher modified various aspects of teaching…

A proposal is made for creating a one-month study unit for the study of Haiti by eighth grade, social studies students. Background information on Haiti's geography, population, economy, culture, and history is provided. Ideas for three lesson plans on Haiti include the iron market in Haiti, Haitian history, and the role of voodoo in Haitian…

One means of understanding literature or historical events is to construct events, or go beyond the text or event. This technique enables students to use their own bodies and voices to understand the dynamics of a situation and add additional material that may not have existed at the time the event occurred. Such a practice provides opportunities…

In this article, the author discusses the ways that she experiences and encourages her students to experience selfhood, diversity, and community. She reflects on the strategies that she has used to help students articulate, affirm, and share their experiences; how she uses the knowledge they gain in the process to become cross-culturally…

The author, who over the years has taken many students abroad on study tours, shares some conclusions that he has reached. His thoughts, which include many practical tips on how to organize foreign travel, should be helpful to educators planning on undertaking such a venture. (RM)

History is alive! That is one of the important messages that teacher Barbara Knighton communicates to her students as she develops engaging stories about changes in farming, government, clothing, or transportation, using timelines as her basis. In this article, the authors describe how Knighton constructs social studies units for her first and…

As a social studies teacher educator, the author wants her students, as the nation's future teachers, to aspire to engage their students in K-12 classrooms in meaningful civic activity. Toward this end, she has developed several programs for preservice teachers to gain knowledge and the direct experience of civic participation. The Social Issue…

A supervising social studies teacher tells how to plan for a student teacher before and after he/she arrives. Basic expectations, philosophy of education, and likes and dislikes concerning student teachers are described. Also discussed are major points made in conferences with student teachers and a discipline plan. (RM)

Discusses an exchange of students between two seventh grade social studies classes: one in New York City, the other in Elida, Ohio. Examines important benefits for students that such domestic exchanges offer. Outlines the elements of a successful exchange. Suggests that a nationwide clearinghouse is needed to implement a domestic exchange program.…

Addresses the problem of getting to know one's students in a videotaping project in which classmates were videotaped as they introduced themselves and asked questions the students prepared for a guest speaker. Notes how students spontaneously worked as a team and enjoyed replaying the tape. Suggests project also improved results of the speaker's…