Synopses & Reviews
Williams' passion for helping teachers look at content in new ways is precisely what we need. This book challenges educators to think outside the box.-Dennis Denenberg, Professor EmeritusMillersville University
This is not your typical social studies methods book. Williams' highly readable prose shows a deep respect for the marriage of American history content and teaching.-Elaine Wrisley Reed, Retired Executive DirectorNational Council for History Education
Turn your students into history detectives with these innovative teaching strategies
Written by a history educator, this exciting guide provides a unique approach that makes it easy for middle and high school teachers to engage students' critical thinking in history and social studies.
Using a CSI approach to history, the author's six powerful strategies tap into students' natural curiosity and investigative instincts. Students become detectives of the past as they ghost-hunt in their neighborhoods, solve historical crime scenes, prepare arguments for famous court cases, and more. Each ready-to-use technique: Demonstrates how students can use primary and secondary sources to solve historical mysteriesIncludes sample lessons and case studies for Grades 5-12Aligns with national standards, making the book useful for both teachers and curriculum developersFeatures review questions, reflections, and Web and print resources in every chapter for further reading
Incorporate these strategies into your classroom and watch as students discover just how thrilling and spine-chilling history can be
Synopsis
Yohuru Williams has developed an approach to teaching history that makes it easy to get students actively engaged, to think critically, and to become accountable for their own learning. This indispensable guide demonstrates how to turn students into investigators of history, rather than memorizers and regurgitators of dates and disconnected facts. Teaching U.S. History Beyond the Textbook presents six powerful teaching strategies, each with many sample lessons suitable for grades 5-12, that tap into students' natural curiosity and investigative instincts. Your students will become detectives of the past as they: Ghost-hunt in their neighborhoods, researching mysterious buildings, monuments, and other haunted spacesSolve historical crime scenes, or cold casesAnalyze primary and secondary sources using fingerprinting techniquesReconstruct accidents that occurred at important intersections in historyPrepare arguments as defenders or prosecutors in famous court casesUndertake paranormal investigations to communicate with figures from the past
Synopsis
Aligned with national standards, these strategies and sample lessons turn learners into history detectives as they solve historical mysteries, prepare arguments for famous cases, and more.