Help Students Analyze Primary Sources with Classroom-Based Activities
Reading Time: 5 minutes Primary sources have been part of my history teaching for a long time. Reading words from the past makes history pop in ways that secondary sources often only hint at. But only recently have I remembered how incomprehensible such sources can initially appear to our students. This summer, I took an […]
If the United States Department of Education Dissolves, What Changes and Who is Impacted?
Reading Time: 5 minutes With the election of the 47th United States President, Donald J. Trump, changes to the government landscape are imminent. In the first few weeks since he was sworn in as president, he has already signed a myriad of Executive Orders and made a host of changes to how government departments spend […]
Hands-on Mapping Connects History with Geography
Reading Time: 5 minutes Developing geographic literacy is essential for fostering critical thinking, spatial awareness, and a deeper understanding of historical events. Hands-on mapping programs provide students with the opportunity to not only learn about where history happened but also engage with the content in a way that builds key skills like analysis, synthesis, and […]
Hearing History from Those Who Lived It: Collecting Oral Histories in the Classroom
Reading Time: 5 minutes In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and other historical events, social studies teachers have a unique opportunity to inspire students to create their part of historical record. By collecting oral histories, students can engage in a hands-on process of ‘doing history,’ which can lead to academic and emotional growth. In […]
Education Trends to Look Out for in 2025
Reading Time: 6 minutes Education is a field that is forever growing and changing with the trends in society. This year saw the reelection of Donald J. Trump, who promised that if elected, he would be “closing up” the U.S. Department of Education and sending “all education and education work and needs back to the […]
10+ Inspirational Reads for Teachers this Winter Break
Reading Time: 6 minutes Winter break is a crucial time for educators to rest and recharge because of the demands of the teaching profession that requires significant physical, mental, and emotional energy. Taking time to kick back and relax is essential for overall well-being, long-term effectiveness, and longevity in the field. A rejuvenated teacher creates a […]
Lights, Camera, Action! Using Movies to Engage Students in the Social Studies Classroom
Reading Time: 5 minutes When I was a student, watching movies was often reserved for teacher absences, commemorations, or rewards. When we saw that TV cart roll into the classroom, the response was always the same: pure excitement from me and my classmates! As a teacher, I saw my students have the same response whenever […]
Literacy Across the Social Studies Disciplines: A Framework to Support Your Classroom
Reading Time: 6 minutes Literacy and social studies intersect in powerful and meaningful ways, as both subjects rely on the development of critical thinking, comprehension, and communication skills. Disciplinary Literacy is how learners successfully read, write, speak, listen, think, investigate, and participate in the unique language of each content area. To empower students to become […]
How Nystrom Atlases Can Support Geographic Literacy at All Grade Levels
Reading Time: 8 minutes In today’s interconnected world, geographic literacy is more essential than ever, empowering students to make sense of global dynamics, cultural diversity, and environmental changes. An atlas serves as a unique tool that fosters critical thinking, spatial awareness, and data interpretation skills. By guiding students through visual storytelling and spatial relationships, atlases […]
Unique Electorate and Presidential Facts to Explore in the Classroom
Reading Time: 6 minutes This past election day, Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States. Following his unsuccessful run for the presidency in 2020, a president serving non-consecutive terms has only happened one other time in the history of the U.S. presidency. This prompted us to think: what other unique facts […]