Applying Learned Concepts: Fostering Inquiry in History, Geography, Economics, and Civics

Early in the school year, students often ask me, “why do I need a history class?” They go on to say they know why science, math, and English are taught, but they don’t know why they need to learn so many random dates and historical facts.

My last post was about quality novels to teach in the American history classroom.

Service learning has been a cornerstone of my educational approach for over a decade.

How does a teacher narrow down over 5000 years of human history and culture for the classroom? Use essential questions!

“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.

I have wondered, especially this past year, why many Americans dislike their government because they think it intrudes on their freedom, and why many Mexicans and Latin Americans mistrust their governments because they think they are corrupt and abuse their power.

This article covers the influence of Catholicism in shaping the form and philosophy of government in Latin America, affecting how Latino students and their families think and feel about government.

Many social studies teachers want to inspire their students to apply what they are learning in class outside of school.

A few years ago, I got caught up in a controversy that changed the way I teach.