Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2018
The National Council for the Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council are delighted to present this year’s list of exceptional books appropriate for use in the social studies classroom.Analyzing Literary Maps to Bridge Geography, History, and English Language Arts Kathleen McGuigan
Studying literary maps like the Texas map featured in this article can launch an engaging discussion about literature as well as on the perspectives of the mapmakers. US History, GeographyBringing the World’s Constitutions to the Classroom Jessie Baugher, Zachary Elkins, Tom Ginsburg
Having students compare and analyze international constitutions teaches them about different countries and also gives them new insights into governance and their own founding document. Secondary/High School Law-Related, Civics/GovernmentQuestions, Tasks, Sources: Focusing on the Essence of Inquiry Kathy Swan, John Lee, S.G. Grant
A focused inquiry approach, like the one on Pearl Harbor in this article, enables teachers to weave inquiry into the fabric of their courses as part of their daily instruction. Secondary/High School US HistoryMarriage between Slaves: Analyzing Legal Documents from Spain and the United States Luis Martínez-Fernández
When studying the early colonization of the Caribbean, students will gain a deeper, more nuanced, understanding of the institution of slavery by examining Spanish colonial documents and comparing them with documents from the antebellum U.S. South. Secondary/High School US History, World HistoryGeorge Washington and Slavery: Going Beyond Picture Books to Teach about Our Flawed Founders Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, James Joshua Coleman, Lindsay R. Cicchino
Some key strategies can help provide students with a balanced picture of the founding fathers while honoring the lives, stories, and experiences of victims of slavery. US HistoryThe Bomb and Beyond: Teaching Nuclear Issues through Popular Culture Texts Hiroshi Kitamura, Jeremy Stoddard
The three approaches to teaching about the legacies of nuclear development outlined in this article can advance students’ critical literacy skills as they analyze artifacts of popular culture. Secondary/High School US History, World HistoryThe Carter G. Woodson Awards, 2018
This year’s Carter G. Woodson award winners include books about the Birmingham Children’s March, Japanese internment (Fred Korematsu), and recognizing the history of people of African descent.And the Children Shall Lead: Using the 2018 Notable Books to Nurture Young Citizen-Activists Andrea S. Libresco
Elementary teachers can help nurture the next generation of citizen-activists with two books that explore examples of young people engaging in civic action. PreK-Elementary US History, Civics/Government