Social Studies for Social Justice: Teaching Strategies for the Elementary Classroom / Edition 1

by Rahima C. Wade, William Ayers, Therese Quinn

Overview

Dedication to social justice teaching is important; yet putting one’s ideals into practice in American schools is a challenging task. This book goes beyond theory and idealism to fully explore the value and impact of implementing social action and social justice activities in the elementary school classroom. Informed by the experiences of more than forty teachers across the country, this thoughtful resource:

• Examines how elementary teachers, from inner cities to rural towns, use the social studies curriculum to teach about and for social justice.
• Focuses on how teaching social studies for social justice relates to standardized testing, state curricula, and the local challenges teachers face.
• Offers classroom activities, “Reflection Exercises,” and “Teaching Ideas” to provide teachers with practical applications for the topics discussed.
• Includes a list of children’s literature books, curricular materials, and websites.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807747629
Publisher:	Teachers College Press
Publication date:	04/13/2007
Series:	The Teaching for Social Justice Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.36(d)

About the Author

Rahima C. Wade is professor of elementary social studies in the Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education, at the University of Iowa. She was selected as the John Glenn Scholar for Service-Learning in Teacher Education.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword   William C. Ayers   Therese Quinn     vii
Foreword   Sonia Nieto     xi
Preface     xiii
Acknowledgments     xvii
Introduction     1
Understanding Social Justice Education     4
The Nature of Social Justice     4
Care and Fairness     7
Characteristics of Social Justice Education     8
Conclusion     14
Reflection Exercises     15
Creating a Socially Just Classroom Community     16
Embracing the Individual     17
Building a Socially Just Community from Day One     19
Speaking Up     21
Arranging the Room     22
Supporting the Community with Circle Meetings     23
Widening the Community     25
Teaching a Social Curriculum     26
Putting It All Together: Melinda's "Kids Who Care" Class     27
Conclusion     29
Reflection Exercises     29
Reinventing the Social Studies Curriculum     31
Adapting the Standard Curriculum     33
Dealing with Standards and Tests     35
Teaching History for Social Justice     37
SeekingSupport for Social Justice Teaching     39
Social Justice Teaching in Action     41
Conclusion     51
Reflection Exercises     51
Social Justice Themes and Skills     52
Social Justice Themes     52
Social Justice Skills     57
A Sample Unit: The Civil Rights Movement     60
Conclusion     62
Reflection Exercises     63
Essential Teaching Strategies     64
Thematic Approach     65
Children's Literature     66
Questions     68
Role-Play and Simulations     70
Primary Sources     71
Visual and Performing Arts     73
And More...     74
Conclusion     75
Teaching Ideas     75
Activism and Community Connections     78
Community Connections     79
Activism     82
Conclusion     89
Teaching Ideas     89
Looking Forward     92
Social Justice Teaching Resources     97
Description of the Research     109
References     115
Index     119
About the Author      125

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“One of the greatest lessons of this powerful book is that teachers can make a life-defining difference in the lives of their students by teaching them to stand on the side of social justice. As the old adage says, ‘If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.’ Social Studies for Social Justice will help teachers learn how to stand with their students for creative and life-affirming social change.”
From the Foreword by Sonia Nieto, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

“Through powerful storytelling and classroom examples, Wade inspires all educators to take their teaching seriously—as ethical and intellectual work in the struggle to make a better world. This is a wonderful tool for all teachers who want to make a difference.”
—Mara Sapon-Shevin, Professor of Inclusive Education, Syracuse University

Editorial Reviews

Highly recommended."

—The Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher