Social Studies Education Articles for Teachers

With the increase of drone warfare and the reduction of American troops in the Middle East, the likelihood of a military draft seems like an outdated concept that, in the current age, would be unnecessary and also politically repulsive. But for young people, the draft is not just about the possi...

It's difficult to visualize the scope of the Egyptian culture, with its endurance and influence. From our American perspective, a few hundred years renders something ancient, but Egyptian history spans thousands of years.  While there are plenty of resources about Egyptian culture in general, al...

The holiday season is supposed to be spent with people you love. At least that is what one song says. Many people spend the holiday season visiting family that they do not see the rest of the year. Sometimes these visits bring joy and happiness, yet they can also bring up family strife, past hurt...

When evaluations based on testing exclude social studies, why should an elementary school teacher spend time teaching it? When I was a fifth grade teacher, I will be the first to admit that social studies was not on the priority list with math, reading, and science. A Lack of Knowledge One day,...

Have you ever asked your class what they want to be when they grow up? When American children are young, they often answer this question with the statement, "I want to be the president." However, while this position seems like the epitome of success, leading the United States is really a job with...

How do you encourage and inspire your class to make a difference in the community? April provides many great opportunities for helping your kids understand that everyone must be concerned with ecology and conservation. You can recognize Earth Day (April 22nd) and Arbor Day (April 27th) in your cl...

“The opposite of bravery is not cowardice but conformity.” - Robert Anthony Bravery is not an easy thing to teach; yet our world needs brave acts now more than ever. History has taught us that facing those who perpetrate injustice is the only way to correct the situation. From ending slavery and...

As we celebrate Women’s History Month in our classrooms, it’s important to show young women not only that various female historical figures paved different ways to the history books, but that they had different outlooks on life, and measured their own success in different ways. Just as there are ...

Even as we trade the paper version for digital representations, maps remain an important tool in everyday life. We use road maps, political maps, time zone maps, area code maps, street maps, and mental maps every day. Without them we’d be, well...lost. Teaching children to read and understand map...

One way to connect children and history is by using a a geographical location as a springboard. The National Park Service says, “Places add substance to the themes and events covered in textbooks.” Although it may not be possible to make a physical visit, the Internet has made it possible to brin...

Throughout history, women have invented machines or products that revolutionized the way we live. One woman designed a device that made square-bottomed paper bags, another Liquid Paper, and still another came up with the wonderful invention of disposable diapers. In honor of National Women Invent...

Malala Yousafzai was fifteen years old when she was shot in the face by the Taliban for standing up for the right of girls to be educated. Her story, I am Malala, starts with that life-changing incident, and then goes back to explain Malala's incredible journey in the few years of her life. She g...

The Christmas season can be a time of high anxiety for children. What should they ask for this year? Will they get what they want? While adults may not be able to go back in time to fully remember how fun, and yet stressful, Christmas can be, teachers can still relieve a little bit of this tensio...

Civil disobedience is not a 20th century concept. It is not unique to Henry David Thoreau, Ghandi, or Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil disobedience has been around as long as there has been oppressive government, with examples of peaceful nonviolent resistance beginning even in Greek mythology.  As...

What do windshield wipers, a dishwasher, and White-Out all have in common? Women invented them all! Female inventors have overcome many obstacles in order to invent products that have changed the way we live today. Conduct some research, learn about famous inventors, and have your students use th...