
Social Education
Social Education
Editor’s Notebook
Michael Simpson
Social Education, January/February 2010
Ten years ago, the January-February issue of Social Education surveyed the challenges facing the nation at the turn of the century, and included a special section on megatrends affecting our civic ideals. Looking back at that issue, it is striking that we have not made headway in overcoming the problems that the contributors identified at the time. The guest editors of that special section, H. Michael Hartoonian and Richard Van Scotter, judged that “the twin pillars of the Republic, democracy and capitalism, are now in a condition requiring intensive care.”* The same situation prevails today, as we confront profound economic problems and a widespread incivility, lack of objectivity and disregard for facts in public debates on important issues.
These circumstances underline the importance of offering young people an excellent social studies education that prepares them for the responsibilities of citizenship. Unfortunately, much of the public discussion of education seems to presume that education for citizenship is something that happens easily and automatically, when in fact, it needs a strong commitment of time and resources to social studies programs.
Our January-February issue 10 years ago emphasized the importance of providing students with skills that would help them navigate the twenty-first century. One unprecedented set of developments confronting them arises from globalization. The increased importance of China’s role in the world is one of the most significant developments of recent times. With Kathleen Woods Masalski and Tedd Levy as guest editors, this special issue of Social Education goes behind the headlines to introduce readers to the realities of Chinese society and culture, as well as the transformations taking place in the country today.
Rob Gifford and Kristin Stapleton look at different dimensions of the perceptions that we have of China. Gifford compares the favorable perspectives of “panda huggers” to the negative prognostications “of dragon slayers,” while Stapleton outlines what she wishes her college students had learned about China in high school. Jonathan N. Lipman suggests an innovative way of teaching Chinese geography through Chinese cuisine, while Shiping Zheng shows how the extraordinary progress of China has defied expectations to date, but also poses problems for the political leadership of the country. One important cultural development in the country in recent years has been the revival of Confucianism, once criticized by the government, but now, as Stephen C. Angle shows, a re-emerging spiritual force in the country.
The section in which authors describe their personal experiences of China enables the reader to see Chinese life through both American and Chinese eyes. Two Americans, Peter Hessler and Ryan Bradeen, provide their first-hand accounts of living and working in China, while Richard Wang and Juefei Wang give readers a unique sense of what it was like for them to grow up in China as it experienced economic and social difficulties.
Qi Chen offers insights into how the world of Chinese education has been affected by the changes sweeping China, with his account of curriculum reform efforts in the country. Caryn White Stedman’s survey of the ethnic groups of China highlights the diversity of the country. Tanya Lee recommends ten films for teachers interested in introducing their students to China through visual media.
Throughout the issue, Patience Berkman has included lively teaching suggestions that will allow readers to use the articles in their class activities.
Further details about the issue are included in the introduction by the guest editors themselves on the page following this one. The issue also includes a letter from Jon Huntsman, the U.S. Ambassador to China, to our readers emphasizing the importance of teaching students about the country.
This theme issue is part of our commitment to an education that gives students the knowledge and thinking skills that they need to deal with our changing world. This is a time when all of us at NCSS need to reiterate the importance of social studies to the wider educational community and the general public. Syd Golston’s feature in this issue reminds us of the civic mission of schools and the vital role of the social studies in accomplishing that mission. “The engine for free public education, “ Syd Golston points out, “was the need for an informed electorate.” (5) In recent years, she points out, the focus of the educational system has been on reading and math. She endorses the excellent point made by Charles Haynes and Terry Pickeral that “Reading and math are important—very important. But if we care about the health of our nation, then we must be very concerned about what kind of citizens do the math and read the books.” (6) Her feature is derived from her presidential address at last November’s annual NCSS meeting in Atlanta, and inaugurates this first issue of the New Year.
As always, the editors of Social Education welcome the comments of readers on any of the contributions to this issue at socialed@ncss.org.
- H. Michael Hartoonian and Richard Van Scotter, “The Real Business of America: Ethics and New Economic Realities,” Social Education 64, 1 (January-February 2000): 36.
Teaching With Documents

- The First Act of Congress
Lee Ann Potter
In the early days of this nation, Congress considered numerous acts as it established the laws of the land. Yet the first ever act of Congress concerned an oath to support the Constitution.
- On the Other Side
Lee Ann Potter
The value of an historical document goes far beyond its obvious content, and includes such obscure clues as notations scribbled hastily on the back.
- Buttons to Bumper Stickers: Political Campaign Memorabilia
Lee Ann Potter
From George Washington to George W. Bush, politicians have used campaign memorabilia to capture the attention of voters. By studying these items, students can learn a great deal about historical issues and candidates.
- Robert E. Lee's Demand for the Surrender of John Brown
Daniel F. Rulli
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry--considered treasonous by some and heroic by others--helped strengthen the anti-slavery movement. Students can gain a deeper understanding of this event by studying General Lee's demand for Brown’s surrender.
- 1863 Letter from Ralph Waldo Emerson about Walt Whitman
Lee Ann Potter
During the Civil War, poet Walt Whitman was eager to work for the government. Though federal jobs weren't easy to come by, a letter of recommendation from Ralph Waldo Emerson was able to push open government doors.
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Letter from President Millard Fillmore to the Emperor of Japan
Marvin Pinkert and Lee Ann Potter
A letter from President Fillmore plays a key role in overcoming Japan's "closed country" policy.
- Order of Argument in the Case Brown v. Board of Education
Kahlil Chism, contributing author, and Lee Ann Potter, editor
The Order of Argument in Brown v. Board of Education is a short document, but it can launch students on a long voyage of understanding of this milestone case.
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Connecting with the Past
Lee Ann Potter
History becomes much more than past events and important dates, when students investigate the subtle clues buried in primary sources.
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Big and Famous is Not Always Better
Daniel F. Rulli
Documents do not need to be elaborate to be useful classroom tools. Short, lesser-known documents can teach students a world of history.
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The Words We Live By: The Constitution in Context
Linda R. Monk
When students understand the historical context of a given document, they learn much more than simply the words of a text.
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From Attics to Graveyards: Where to Locate Documents for Your Classroom
Tom Gray and Susan Owens
The most valuable information may be in the least obvious places--attics, file cabinets, or the local cemeteries.
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Online Resources from the National Archives
Lee Ann Potter
This article provides practical tips for finding key sources on the National Archives website.
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Online Resources from the Library of Congress
Judith K. Graves and Marilyn Parr
The authors outline major areas and search tools for navigating the Library of Congress website.
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Archival Facilities Across the Nation
Here's a useful list of National Archives facilities around the country. Also included is a list of state archives that are responsible for preserving valuable records.
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Primarily, It's Serendipity
James A. Percoco
The correspondence between a baseball commissioner and President Franklin Roosevelt offers a creative approach to teaching World War II during baseball season.
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My Reward: Outstanding Student Projects Based on Primary Sources
John Lawlor
Students research their homes, local ruins, or urban ecology--among other fascinating subjects--as part of term projects that challenge them to investigate history using primary sources.
- Suggested Methods for Integrating Primary Sources into Classroom Instruction
National Archives and Records Administration
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Document Analysis Worksheets
National Archives and Records Administration
- Affidavit in the Case of Orville and Wilbur Wright vs. Glenn H. Curtiss
Kahlil G. Chism and Lee Ann Potter
Orville and Wilbur Wright were not the only inventors working on airplane innovations. But the Wright brothers' patent gave them a tremendous advantage and inhibited manufacturers from producing planes for a time just before World War I.
- Letter from Archibald MacLeish about Relocating the Charters of Freedom during World War II
Michael Hussey and Lee Ann Potter
During World War II, the Library of Congress went to extraordinary lengths to protect the nation's founding documents in case of an attack on the capital.
- Letter from President Lyndon B. Johnson to John Steinbeck
Lee Ann Potter
The letter featured in this article offers insight into the mutual respect shared between author John Steinbeck and former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. Although Steinbeck's opinion on the Vietnam War varied, he was a strong supporter of Johnson's position on the war at the time the letter was written.