Social Studies and Diversity Education: What We Do and Why We Do It

The preparation of social studies teachers is crucial not only to the project of good education, but, even more broadly, to the cultivation of a healthy democracy and the growth of a nation’s citizens. This one-of-a-kind resource features ideas from over 100 of the field's most thoughtful teacher educators reflecting on their best practices and offering specific strategies through which future teachers can learn to teach, thus illuminating the careful planning and deep thinking that go into the preparation of the social studies teachers. While concentrating on daily teaching realities such as lesson planning and meeting national, state, or provincial standards, each contributor also wrestles with the most important current issues on educating teachers for today’s increasingly diverse, complex, and global society.
Features of this unique teaching resource include:



Volume sections that are arranged by both disciplinary organization and approach or activity.


Thoughtful introductory section essays that conceptualize each theme, providing a conscientious theoretical overview and analysis of each individual section.


Rich and concrete examples of best practice from some of the field's most diverse and highly regarded scholars and teacher educators


An index that identifies the appropriate teaching level and teacher education context and links the strategies and ideas that are presented in the essay to the relevant INTASC and NCSS standards for quick reference in classroom planning as well as institutional development and implementation.

A much-needed addition to the field, this comprehensive volume will be of value to any teacher interested in social studies or diversity education across age groups and educational contexts.

Foreword: Contribution to Teacher Education, Marilyn Cochran-Smith

Foreword: Contribution to Social Studies, Stephanie van Hover and Keith C. Barton

Foreword: Contribution to Multicultural Pedagogy, Alexandra C. Rolfsmeyer and Adam J. Greteman

Introduction: How to Use This Book

Section 1: Purposes, Beliefs, and Contexts in Social Studies Education

Section 2: Democratic Values and Government

Section 3: Evidence and Interpretation in History

Section 4: History in Social Context

Section 5: Perspective Consciousness about Identity, Power and Culture

Section 6: Local and Global Communities and Economies

Section 7: Current Events and Controversies

Section 8: Using a Range of Resources
Section 9: Instruction and Designing Curriculum

Conclusion: The present and future of Teaching Methods in Social Studies and Diversity Education: Teaching Methods in Social Studies and Diversity Education: A Critical Review

Appendices