Teaching Social Studies in 2022
Curated Resources for Teaching During Historic Times
Note: Please check back, as we will continually update this resource in order to be responsive.
Dear Teachers,
Amongst the chaos of a global pandemic and a polarized political climate you've had to continually pivot and adapt to keep your teacher magic going.The workload is relentless and you are worn out. Yet, still, here you are reading a newsletter as you try to sort out the most meaningful ways to teach social studies in our current context.
Thank you.
Thank you for all you are doing to make connections with students, foster learning, AND for continuing to focus on social studies. Unfortunately, social studies is once again becoming marginalized in the curriculum, even though It is arguably more important now than ever to engage in meaningful social studies learning with our students. In the short term, together, we can help make sense of what is currently happening in our communities, the country, and the world. In the long term, through social studies, we can continue to grow the knowledge, skills and dispositions required to be engaged, informed and active citizens. Even though it is challenging, we must do both.
The resources curated here are meant to support you in these endeavors.
Again, thank you for sticking with it and for doing the hard work of the noblest profession in our democracy.
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Teaching After Racially-Motivated Mass Violence
Building Context with Students
- Related:
- “Why NPR isn't using the word 'manifesto'” (Tony Cavin, NPR).
- “The Buffalo supermarket shooting suspect allegedly posted an apparent manifesto repeatedly citing 'great replacement' theory” (Ben Collins, NBC News).
-From News Literacy Project
“What we know so far about the Buffalo mass shooting” from NPR
“Buffalo Shooting Latest Example of Racial Violence” from the Associated Press & adapted by Newsela Staff
“Explainer: White Nationalism” from Facing History & Ourselves
This Explainer is intended to describe key characteristics of the white nationalist ideology and clarify some of the terms surrounding it. It is important to note that many of the beliefs described here are based on false and dangerous assumptions. (Facing History & Ourselves)
Anti-Taiwanese Mass Shooting in CA
The day after the mass shooting in Buffalo, there was a mass shooting at the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, CA that the FBI is investigating as a hate crime.
Related:
- "Authorities say hate against Taiwanese people led to California church attack" (PBS News Hour)
- Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense (Council on Foreign Relations)
How do we talk about the violence?
How do I talk to a preschooler about the shooting in Buffalo?
Instagram thread from Growing Toward Liberation
“The Horrific Mass Shooting in Buffalo: How to Talk with Young People” from the ADL
“Teaching in the Wake of Violence” from Facing History & Ourselves
This Teaching Idea is a guide for teachers to navigate conversations with their students after news of a mass shooting, terrorist attack, or other violent event. (Facing History & Ourselves)
Template for communicating with staff and students in the wake of Buffalo from Truss Leadership
Teaching About The Invasion of Ukraine
Education and the Human Rights Crisis in Ukraine: A Current Events Response by National Council for the Social Studies
(Click here to read the full statement March 3, 2022)
Kyiv, Ukraine
Photo by Robert Anasch on UnsplashIn case you didn't know: "How To Pronounce and Spell 'Kyiv,' and Why It Matters" from The Guardian
When Bad Things Are Happening
When news breaks of disaster or violence, your students may want to discuss a crisis as it unfolds. Here’s how.
-Learning for Justice
Head, Heart, Conscience
-Facing History & Ourselves
Seize This Important Opportunity to Teach About News Literacy & Disinformation
"The Breaking News Consumer Handbook" from On The Media
Navigating Digital Information from Crash Course + Stanford History Education Group
"Fact vs. Fiction: Russian Disinformation on Ukraine" from the US Department of State
K-5 Resources on Ukraine, War, & Peace
- "Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children" from the American Psychological Association
- "How To Talk To Kids About the Ukraine Invasion" from PBS
Picture Books
- Global Conflict (illustrated book from the Children In Our World Series) by Louise Spilsbury & Hanane Kai
- 33 Multicultural Children's Books about Peace from Colours of Us
Lessons & Resources
- "Why Is Russia Invading Ukraine? Here's What We Know" Newsela adapted from USA Today (you can adjust the lexile level in the upper right-hand corner)
- "Map: The Conflict in Ukraine"
- The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Explained: Kids Edition from NBC News (1:33-5:19)
- This was published right before the invasion, so it talks about “if Russia invades,” but it has lots of good background information.
- "Foreign Policy: War & Peace and Everything In Between" (iCivics lesson focused on US foreign policy, and how the executive branch uses foreign aid, the military, and treaties)
- Teaching About Refugees With 6-9 year olds lessons and materials from the UN Refugee Agency
6-12 Resources on Ukraine, War, & Historical Context
- "Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children" from the American Psychological Association
Students are on TikTok Talking About Ukraine—How Teachers Can Answer Their Questions classroom ideas from We Are Teachers
"How to spot fake or misleading footage on social media claiming to be from the Ukraine war" from PBS NewsHour
Ready-Made Lessons
- "The Invasion of Ukraine: How Russia Attacked and What Happens Next" New York Times lesson of the day
- The Ukraine Crisis lesson plan from The Choices Program at Brown University
- C-Span Classroom (use a keyword search to find clips and lessons to use)
- Russia Disinformation: What are some of Russia's disinformation tactics? (activity by News Literacy Project---check out The Sift, their top picks for teaching news literacy this week)
- Teaching About Refugees materials for 9-12 year olds, 12-15 year olds, and 15-18 year olds. from the UN Refugee Agency.
Instructional Resources
- Russia’s war in Ukraine: complete guide in maps, video and pictures continually updated byThe Guardian
- Map Explainer: Key Facts About Ukraine from Visual Capitalist
- "Explainer: What is NATO, and what is its role in the Russia-Ukraine crisis?" (The Washington Post, Newsela will adapt to different lexile levels in upper right-hand corner)
- Russia Invades Ukraine (maps and updates from Reuters)
- Historical Maps for Building Context (here are more maps)
- Who is Vladimir Putin? (3:30 min clip from BBC)
- AllSides (site that sorts and labels media coverage of current events by left, centrist, and right leaning coverage)
- CNN10 (10 minute daily news segments featuring global news designed for the classroom)
- "The long history between Russia and Ukraine" video (3:24 min clip from Newsela)
(Click Images to Access the Resources & Threads)
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Teaching Thanksgiving in a Culturally Responsive Way
Things to keep in mind:
Emphasize that being culturally responsible in how you present Thanksgiving is key. Teachers should make sure they don’t inadvertently perpetuate trauma or stereotypes of Indigenous communities. Positive intent can still lead to doing harm.
Organizations that center the voices of Indigenous Peoples and provide activities and resources for teachers:
Things to consider:
Whose voice do I center? What are the ethical considerations to take into account?
Is my resource developmentally appropriate? How do I know if my sources are reliable?
Am I telling a historically accurate and robust story? What am I unintentionally obscuring?
How can I use this resource and activity to engage in inquiry?
Things to avoid:
This article does an excellent job of talking about how to teach Thanksgiving in a socially responsible way and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes. It also includes digital resources for teachers to find activities and lesson plans.
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Start with yourself.
Check out this article Seven Ways Mindfulness Can Help Teachers.
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Should we even address or discuss political issues in the classroom?
YES!
"So, some people, I think, will say that it’s a teacher’s job to remain neutral. But, we have lots of research that shows that neutrality hurts our students...What I found is that teachers want to be doing these things. They want to be responsive to these moments. But many of them are feeling lots of pressure from various sources about whether and how to be able to do it."
--Dr. Alyssa Hadley Dunn, Michigan State University
(click here to read full interview from WDET, 2/6/2020)
Also, NPR's piece Now Is A Good Time To Talk To Kids About Civics
Shifting Out of Neutral: A History Teacher Leaves the Struggle for Objectivity Behind from Teaching Tolerance
'Education is Political': Neutrality in the Classroom Shortchanges Students from National Education Association (featuring Dr. Dunn's research)
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Fostering Civil Discourse
Fostering Civil Discourse: How do we talk about issues that matter?
Civil Discourse in the Classroom & Beyond
Above the Noise, a YouTube series for teens, cuts through the hype and dives deep into the research behind the issues affecting their daily lives. Every other Wednesday, the series investigates controversial subject matter to help young viewers draw informed conclusions, while inspiring media literacy and civic engagement.
Teaching for Democracy Alliance has curated a an excellent set of resources for teachers to support civic discourse in the classroom.
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Resources to Support Anti Racist Learning
Responding to the Attacks on Social Studies Education
Statement from MCSS, MCHE, MCTE, MSSSA & MACTE in opposition to SB 460 and HB 5097
"We support education that prepares students to be informed, active participants in our democracy. Education that supports and maintains democracy must include teaching and learning that: allows for the free flow of ideas; recognizes the importance of teaching about race, racism, and discrimination; involves the analysis of issues, topics, and challenges from multiple perspectives; and embraces civic discourse of complicated truths. Therefore, we strongly oppose Senate Bill 460 and House Bill 5097 that prohibit teaching the core democratic values that we hold to be true."
"Day After" Toolkit The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
Resources to Support Anti-Racist Learning
Click here for their anti-racist resources.
Additionally, the Western States Center developed a toolkit for Confronting White Nationalism in Schools.
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Help Your Students Spot Fake News
More Resources to Develop Media Literacy
"Why all 21st Century Educators Must Teach Media Literacy & How" (SCETV)
"4 Steps Schools Need To Take To Combat Fake News" (Prof. Sam Wineburg)
BBC Teach: Help your students spot false news
Illinois State University, Milner Library Media Literacy Classroom Activities
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Oakland Schools Social Studies Consultants
Contact Us!
Christopher Lee: Christopher.Lee@oakland.k12.mi.us
Stacie Woodward: Stacie.Woodward@oakland.k12.mi.us
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