Social Studies Education Articles for Teachers

May is National Photo Month. Its recognition includes a variety of sponsors that make up the multi-million dollar industry that celebrates, acknowledges, and encourages photographers through photo contests and other events. The combination of art and technology in modern day photography...

We know the tricycle as a three-wheeled bike designed to maintain stability that consists of one rubber wheel in front, and two rubber wheels in back. Tricycles are usually ridden by young children who cannot yet master a two-wheeled bike. However, the very early tricycle was actually a horse-dra...

Speed has become the name of the game in so many aspects of modern society. In the fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare," the slow tortoise ended up winning a race against the quick hare because the rabbit was overly confident and lazy. Knowing he could quickly finish the race, the hare dawdled, nap...

The concept of discrimination is far above the comprehension level of most children. However, by engaging in developmentally appropriate conversations early on, teachers can build character and set the stage for a deeper understanding of this important topic as pupils mature. Children are in...

The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust states that including Soviet civilian deaths, the total Holocaust death toll is close to 17,000,000 people. The Holocaust is an important topic to study, in part, so we can prevent such atrocities. One way to study this period is through literature. Anothe...

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential Americans of the 20th century. His leadership was crucial to the great achievements of the civil rights era. Set the scene of the 1950s South by showing images of white-only facilities, separate water fountains, waiting rooms, schools, and th...

The study of ancient civilizations is captivating and fascinating and can enrich any curriculum. Instilling an understanding of our human past is important because ancient civilizations have helped shape our who we are today.  Begin your investigation by considering this question: Wh...

We study history, in part, to learn lessons from the past so that may help us to solve the challenges of today. A project-based investigation of the main causes, impacts, and eventual solutions of the Great Depression may offer your class some insight as to how America might best go about repairi...

The Common Core standards are aimed at creating a more meaningful and academically rigorous curriculum as a means of preparing students to be college and career ready in the 21st century. By fostering high expectations for all learners, and emphasizing a solid foundation in reading and math skill...

Often discussed in conjunction with service learning, inquiry-based learning, or problem-based learning, project-based learning is becoming a very popular and highly-effective pedagogical tool for teachers. Although it refers to much more than the mere creation of a project, PBL is used in a mult...

Bullying is not innate; it is a learned skill. Children learn that being mean and aggressive will often get them what they want or need. Obviously, this notion must be diffused as early as possible. Children must learn that although being kind and caring takes more work and possibly more time, th...

For hundreds of thousands of years, our ancestors have relied on oral tradition and storytelling to convey both every day and academic concepts. Nightly, the older generation would tell stories by singing, chanting, or reciting. These oral stories taught the ways of a culture to the next generati...

The United Nations charter was first ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council on October 24, 1945. In the worldwide devastation that followed World War II, France, China, the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and the United States worked together to create an organization of int...

Since it is probably unlikely that you and your class can travel to the Mediterranean, why not have them create a virtual Mediterranean cruise? Young scholars could create an itinerary of all the ports they would like to visit, as well as the history and cultures they would like to research in or...

September 21st was officially declared International Day of Peace, or Peace Day, by the United Nations. Whether it be global, national, local, or even amongst individuals, this day has one goal in mind: celebrate peace. The United Nations encourages us to celebrate Peace Day by recognizing peacef...