#sschat is a network of educators, resources, and ideas that started on Twitter, but has expanded to Facebook, an annual NCSS unconference, and more. Join us to chat asynchronously on Twitter or Facebook, or chat with us live on Mondays from 7-8pm EST.
Welcome to our #SSChat tonight! We're talking about how to bring more literature into social studies classrooms! If you're joining, share your info! #sschat
Chris from Bloomington, IN. Teach world history for private online HS affiliated w/ Indiana Univ. I'm also a co-leader/board member for #sschat. My kids started 7th and 9th grades last Wednesday so the schhool year is underway here. :)
Welcome to our #SSChat tonight! We're talking about how to bring more literature into social studies classrooms! If you're joining, share your info! #sschat
Welcome to our #SSChat tonight! We're talking about how to bring more literature into social studies classrooms! If you're joining, share your info! #sschat
Yes, "useable" is a very good thing, as long as by publishing they would publish in an open completely accessible format without paywalls or logins. #sschat#teacheredchat
Dan Krutka checking in from rainy North Texas! Looking forward to hearing how others integrate literature into their social studies experiences. #sschat
Welcome to our #SSChat tonight! We're talking about how to bring more literature into social studies classrooms! If you're joining, share your info! #sschat
A1 #sschat Kids LOVED the March trilogy for Civil Rights - an amazing true story, with all of the highlights of the CRM - we @DrLWalczak add American Born Chinese to the mix to examine equality, stereotype, justice
A1 Depends on the course topic, but one I've always wanted to use when teaching the European Dark Age and the Renaissance is Walter M. Miller Jr.'s A Canticle for Leibowitz. #sschat
A1: I used the story Dog of Pompeii when I was teaching 6th grade. I also brought in photos from my honeymoon. One picture looked like a pic from the story except present day. Ss loved it. #SSChat
A1: In high school I assigned 1984 as the summer read & we integrated it throughout the course. I love integrating pictures books into my elementary methods courses, including some pictured. #sschat
A1 Depends on the course topic, but one I've always wanted to use when teaching the European Dark Age and the Renaissance is Walter M. Miller Jr.'s A Canticle for Leibowitz. #sschat
Hey all! Matt from PA teaching civics and gov't to 9th graders and leadership to seniors. If you have a moment during the chat, please check out this poll I'm running on the number of books you read in a year. Please help by answering and or liking/retweeting! Thanks! #sschat
How many 📚 books do you read in a year?
*You can use the last 3-5 years as a guide*
🙌 Please help by retweeting and sharing. I'm going to share the results with my students and would love to hear from as many of you as possible! 😃
#sschat#engchat#educomix#nerdybookclub
Ryan from NJ here- HS US and Global perspective A1: we use lit circles in US. Up to about 16 titles. We do 3-4 book groups over the course of the year #sschat
Hi Bill! What are you reading right now? I just started the Walter Isaacson biography of Leonardo da Vinci. It's so heavy it may crush me as I'm falling asleep. #sschat
A1. @halseanderson ‘s Chains series is awesome! Gets kids thinking from teen/person of color/woman of color/slave lens all at once with some authentic questions for “Patriot” cause. Can’t recommend enough! #sschat
A1: I used the story Dog of Pompeii when I was teaching 6th grade. I also brought in photos from my honeymoon. One picture looked like a pic from the story except present day. Ss loved it. #SSChat
My ELA colleague reads Animal Farm with our students around the same time that I'm teaching about the American Revolution. Makes a fun & valuable contrast!
#sschat
Have you seen all the @CaptainLibrary posts on pairing picture books with primary sources? They're terrific! Let me see if I can get you a link. #sschat
A1: Brown Girl Dreaming is narrative poetry that takes place in the south during the 60s. A cool take on reading something that is non-fiction and not long to read #sschat
A1 looking fed to incorporating @repjohnlewis March and other #educomix as a World Cultures T loved to use Iqbal and Long Walk to Water, US His @halseanderson Chains series #sschat
LOL, amazing. Great opportunities for the kids to practice focus! :-)
Taught in a room with windows for 3 years, so I'm hyper aware of natural light. The whole room looks awesome, love all the books/comics!
#sschat
A2 When taught best, social studies brings many points of view to the table. Literature provides engaging points of view not easily found elsewhere. #sschat
A2 When taught best, social studies brings many points of view to the table. Literature provides engaging points of view not easily found elsewhere. #sschat
Understand completely, "publish or perish" right? Difficult for profs and teachers to work together or for actual kids to benefit in those situations. Wonder how we could change that...hmmm🤔 #sschat
A2: reading is fundamental. Anytime curriculum can cross each other is a bonus. I loved learning with stories when I was in school. I could put myself in the stories and time travel. #sschat
A2: Literature makes history more accessible for students! It also allows students to make connections between fiction and non-fiction sources - a crucial part of close reading #sschat
A2) It's impossible to understand literature without knowing something about the context in which it was written and literature can help you get a fuller & deeper appreciation of a particular time, place, culture. #sschat
A2: Integration is the natural. We've gotten so used to separating areas of knowledge by disciplines that we don't question it. Maybe we could even ask, why would we separate literature from social studies? #sschat
A2 When taught best, social studies brings many points of view to the table. Literature provides engaging points of view not easily found elsewhere. #sschat
A2 #sschat SS instruction and lit are indivisible - but all types of lit - novels, poetry, verse, graphic novels, essays - it's makes the events of the past and present come to life, and helps Ss relate to the essential concepts!
A2: Integration is the natural. We've gotten so used to separating areas of knowledge by disciplines that we don't question it. Maybe we could even ask, why would we separate literature from social studies? #sschat
A2: Integration is the natural. We've gotten so used to separating areas of knowledge by disciplines that we don't question it. Maybe we could even ask, why would we separate literature from social studies? #sschat
A2: my love of history came out of my love of reading historical fiction. When I loved a story I was more invested in learning about the historical events. To me I think literature has a way of making things relevant and interesting for students #sschat
A2. Lit says so much about society at the time. I miss teaching US hist II and ELA at same time as I could align gr8 texts w/period we were learning about Scarlet Letter, Native Son, The Fountainhead, Fahrenheit 451, A Raisin in the Sun.... #sschat
I've love when ELA and history teachers co-teach a semester. Both teachers become learners too. It's really a great model that more teachers could do if we give a little on sequence. #sschat
Wow, that might be true for many folks here in #sschat....
Also there are pseudo-historical books, like Lord of the Rings. (Maps!! Arcane details!! Genealogies!! Supreme dorkiness!!)
A2: my love of history came out of my love of reading historical fiction. When I loved a story I was more invested in learning about the historical events. To me I think literature has a way of making things relevant and interesting for students #sschat
Here's @CaptainLibrary's most recent article on pairing picture books with primary sources: https://t.co/lc0qWuCQbA Will try to find link to all, but this will give you an idea. #sschat
In reply to
@dankrutka, @CaptainLibrary, @CaptainLibrary
Literature fuels our imaginations and pushes us to be in the world created on the pages of the book. Historical literature lets us "experience" the past and bring it to the present. #sschat
Yep! I think maybe it’s because both SS and lit - as with the best things I life - is all about the people. And few things speak to the human experience better than a story. #sschat
Yes! Think we should look for more and more ways to use historical fiction. Great way to hook new readers and impart a love of social studies, reading, and humanity! #sschat
#sschat
A2: I think it gives students a foundation for further reading/learning and hopefully a passion for learning about history throughout their lives
As a Humanities teacher, I get to integrate both ELA and social studies content into my daily curriculum! I am so excited to bring civics based literature into my 8th grade course! #sschat
A3 Time! Have to pick and choose what to use in whole and what to use in part. I have jigsawed texts (where possible) to address this or just assigned parts. #sschat
A2: Literacy and social studies go hand and hand. Students ability to draw conclusions, make inferences and analyze text based primary sources are the foundation of historical studies #sschat
A3: forcing kids to read books they hate. Solution: give them choice and they will feel more invested in reading the book. This is why kids are more likely to read in lit circles without the threat of quizzes #sschat
As a Humanities teacher, I get to integrate both ELA and social studies content into my daily curriculum! I am so excited to bring civics based literature into my 8th grade course! #sschat
A3A) Time, varying reading abilities & matching texts.
A3B) Focus on depth over breadth if at all possible. Read texts w/ Ss. Maybe read a book that goes with a particular unit or set of units that can be referred to throughout. #sschat
A3A: Challenge is always time.
A3B: We assign a historical book for outside reading over a semester. Students choose the time period and title. #sschat
A3 time. One way around is to split up a book. I assign this one by story character as the book is divided by by character. Teams read and research and present - then tie into other groups . #sschat
A3A: some English teachers feel that literature is their thing and keep books to themselves so resources and availability is sometimes also an issue. #sschat
Please thank Tom Bober @CaptainLibrary! Tom just sent a link to the entire fantabufabulous series he has written on pairing picture books with primary sources. https://t.co/Gx7TO2UUGS#sschat
In reply to
@dankrutka, @CaptainLibrary, @CaptainLibrary
Q3A: In the land of elementary, Sci/SS often take a backseat to the need for strong ELA & Math foundations. Time is a factor that not all find balance. Q3B: Thankful for teammates who integrate SS w/ELA to effectively maximize ALL foundations for kids. Shoutout @LenzTracy#SSChat
zoooooooooooomm!
That's the sound of #sschat moving way too fast to keep track, amirite?!
We will post a Wakelet archive soon after tonight's chat. You can find several years' worth of #sschat archives at our website: https://t.co/wNNMAJxBUF
Last year we taught The Golden Bull and Cleopatra Confesses for Ancient Civilizations. Looking for book recommendations for the new civics standards! #sschat
The collective wisdom of our #sschat community never fails to provide me resources that are going straight into my classroom. Thanks, @johnsonmaryj for sharing @CaptainLibrary's posts!
Please thank Tom Bober @CaptainLibrary! Tom just sent a link to the entire fantabufabulous series he has written on pairing picture books with primary sources. https://t.co/Gx7TO2UUGS#sschat
In reply to
@dankrutka, @CaptainLibrary, @CaptainLibrary
A3B: solution: talk with the English teachers to see how you can collaborate. I’m lucky that I have an amazing AP Lang teacher who loves to collaborate and we share our students so we can continually incorporate literature and historical context/analysis in both classes #sschat
Q3A: In the land of elementary, Sci/SS often take a backseat to the need for strong ELA & Math foundations. Time is a factor that not all find balance. Q3B: Thankful for teammates who integrate SS w/ELA to effectively maximize ALL foundations for kids. Shoutout @LenzTracy#SSChat
Me too! My first African History course used a mix of traditional history and historical fiction -- reading Things Fall Apart made me know I wanted to teach history! #sschat
A2: my love of history came out of my love of reading historical fiction. When I loved a story I was more invested in learning about the historical events. To me I think literature has a way of making things relevant and interesting for students #sschat
Welcome to our #SSChat tonight! We're talking about how to bring more literature into social studies classrooms! If you're joining, share your info! #sschat
A3A Dilemma: Should they read it in class or as homework??
A3B Use precious class time the best way possible. That will probably mean short bursts of reading during class.... so something's gotta go for at least a couple weeks.
#sschat
A3B: There's a ton of research that confirms the importance of free, independent reading. Do not assume that any book will be too difficult if freely chosen by students. Read @skrashen research on this. #sschat
A2: my love of history came out of my love of reading historical fiction. When I loved a story I was more invested in learning about the historical events. To me I think literature has a way of making things relevant and interesting for students #sschat
Welcome to our #SSChat tonight! We're talking about how to bring more literature into social studies classrooms! If you're joining, share your info! #sschat
A3A: Why am I reading something in here? This isn't English class.
A3B: Find something that ties in history in a fun and exciting way or work with English and Lit classes to coordinate units.
#sschat
Welcome to our #SSChat tonight! We're talking about how to bring more literature into social studies classrooms! If you're joining, share your info! #sschat
Welcome to our #SSChat tonight! We're talking about how to bring more literature into social studies classrooms! If you're joining, share your info! #sschat
This is a great question!
A4: Here are some possible questions that could serve as criteria: Am I passionate about the book? Would students be? Will it effectively connect to course content? #sschat
A4: T’s must be deliberate and make sure the literature accurately portrays the content OR has enough connections to content that s’s won’t feel like they’re reading something for no reason #sschat
A4: Lexile and content appropriate, obvs, but also something engaging that will allow them to make a personal connection to the era. Allow them to connect with history on a personal level.
#sschat
This is a great question!
A4: Here are some possible questions that could serve as criteria: Am I passionate about the book? Would students be? Will it effectively connect to course content? #sschat
A4: looking at standards and figuring out what could be used that will engage your students. I try to also find things that will help students empathize and/or see another view point. #sschat
A4: Most important - will it help students make sense of the content and engage with it meaningfully? Regardless of "level" or format (graphic novels/picture books anyone?) #SSChat
A4 -- As @MsHolmesTeach already mentioned, historical accuracy is REALLY important.
@debreese curates an excellent online resource for literature about Native Americans: https://t.co/hlb2e89RGw
That can save lots of heartache and educational malpractice
#sschat
A4: Ts should think about cultural relevancy and relevancy in general. Not that kids can't relate to classics but in ss we have the opportunity to really strike out into other genres and formats. #sschat
I haven't thought much about literature choices that fit the new 8th grade civics standards......although there will still be good connections with my ELA colleague's choices of Animal Farm and Enemy of the People.
Yes! The AP Lang Teacher at my school is working with me on this. We are sharing our students and want to really have a collaborative aspect between the two classes. #sschat
Q3: Many text based primary sources have high lexile reading levels (making it difficult for students who read below grade level). Collaboration with ELA teachers is especially helpful to intergrate cross curricular strategies that support students comprehension #sschat
I can agree, but I also think the historical topic dictates whether this is true or not - some groups of people are lost in the archives for whatever reason and therefore authors can be more creative with their stories #sschat
I'm not sure I agree - especially with the Underground Railroad example. There are so many misconceptions out there about the Underground Railroad, I try would avoid anything that perpetuated them. #sschat
My Ss love thes - and I don't even each the Civil Rights movement in my course. We just go through the Civil War. My Ss chose to read this during their independent reading time! #sschat
Challenges: Reading pacing
Solutions: Allign your science and social studies standards with strong literature in which you incorporate ELA standards as well. Author studies and research studies work great for that.
A5: Listen to understand. Their reasoning for challenge may provide insight. Share your reasoning for selecting the text and how it helps students. Agree to disagree if you have to! #SSChat
A5: Ideally, get a jump on that before there are q's. Talk to your supervisor before choosing a text, let parents know ahead of time (like at back to school night, etc.), and be ready to explain to Ss why you're making that instructionally choice. #sschat
A5: INVITE THAT TEACHER INTO YOUR CLASS! Show them how students are interacting with the texts. My door is always open to anyone in my school or district #sschat
A5: You picked it for a reason and I bet it's a good one. Be able to explain your reasoning and it should work it's way out. Better yet, find a student that it impacted (if you don't have any, then they may have a point) and have that student explain it.
#sschat
Q3 #sschat to make more time advocate for humanities model - it gave our traditional ELA work context and allowed content from social sciences to drive reading/ writing.
Is the Whitehead example what was being referenced in the original tweet? Sorry, I missed that. It was a great book - and agree that it captures the theme - but probably wouldn't use it in HS. #sschat
In reply to
@flipping_A_tchr, @BusbinsClassAHS, @mrsegall
A5: Listen to understand. Their reasoning for challenge may provide insight. Share your reasoning for selecting the text and how it helps students. Agree to disagree if you have to! #SSChat
A5: Ideally, get a jump on that before there are q's. Talk to your supervisor before choosing a text, let parents know ahead of time (like at back to school night, etc.), and be ready to explain to Ss why you're making that instructional choice. #sschat
A5: I would explain my why and show the connection with my standards. I would also ask them what they suggest and maintain an open dialogue with them #sschat
A5. Go straight to your librarian, who should have info and experience in how to handle challenges. Office for Intellectual Freedom also actively supports teachers facing book challenges. @OIF#sschat
I’d argue authors take liberties with some historical facts. My S’s compare & contrast an Avi novel w/ a collection of nonfiction sources on spying in the American Rev. S’s conclude that the book doesn’t include inaccuracies, but some exaggerations #sschat
DISCLAIMER: Don't say this and get fired and blame it on me. ;)
Really, I think the best way to disprove doubters is show them how/why it's effective. #sschat
I actually said that to an 8th grade student once. I didn't go on vacation, but I did sit down in a student desk while I had him come up front to try to teach. He went on to graduate from Princeton, so I didn't scar him for life. #sschat
Very cool w/ the Avi novel. I read what I think is his newest one last week (The Button War) and really liked it. Kind of Lord of the Flies but set in a rural Polish village as WWI breaks out. #sschat
In reply to
@mrsegall, @dankrutka, @BusbinsClassAHS
A4 -- As @MsHolmesTeach already mentioned, historical accuracy is REALLY important.
@debreese curates an excellent online resource for literature about Native Americans: https://t.co/hlb2e89RGw
That can save lots of heartache and educational malpractice
#sschat
Side question: How does @CHitch94 participate in every Twitter chat, read every book, record the @TalkinSS, moderate #sschat, raise a family, and be an amazing teacher? #ShesAMachine#sschat
Very cool w/ the Avi novel. I read what I think is his newest one last week (The Button War) and really liked it. Kind of Lord of the Flies but set in a rural Polish village as WWI breaks out. #sschat
In reply to
@mrsegall, @dankrutka, @BusbinsClassAHS
We've written a great text to help teachers with this - it was written for Eng teachers but can work for SS teachers as well. Pairs a ton of literature with legal themes, case law, and other relevant SS works. #legalliteracyhttps://t.co/Ew9L1eAFmX
#sschat I'm traveling and popping in for a minute to say that it is very important that you select books that are tribally specific and locate Indigenous peoples in present-day contexts. Some useful info here: https://t.co/v4e9Tv0iPQ and here: https://t.co/rtoFo6TarF
A5: #sschat I’m using district approved texts for the most part, but I DO sometimes worry what I’ll say if there is a “flat earther” or Holocaust denier parent.
A6: make sure you have read the book. Also work with your librarian they will be able to help you. Lastly use the book alongside a variety of primary source documents. #sschat
We LOVE this idea! We've got two texts to help - Law Meets Literature (pairing lit with legal works) AND The Themes That Bind Us (teaching students to read #USSupCt case law in real language and with reading prompts). Both written by lawyers/teachers who love ELA & SS! #sschat
#sschat I'm traveling and popping in for a minute to say that it is very important that you select books that are tribally specific and locate Indigenous peoples in present-day contexts. Some useful info here: https://t.co/v4e9Tv0iPQ and here: https://t.co/rtoFo6TarF
Sorry I missed y’all tonight! Hope all y’all are well! Today was Day 1 for us! Goons do our graphic novel again this year (Gettysburg Address) by @iamaraindogtoo#sschat
A5: #sschat I’m using district approved texts for the most part, but I DO sometimes worry what I’ll say if there is a “flat earther” or Holocaust denier parent.
A6: Find quality reviews from experts on the topic. Even vet teachers often use problematic lit unknowingly. For example, @debreese' site & tweets have been invaluable for ensuring more accurate & full portrayals of Indigenous Peoples and Nations: https://t.co/1aN0v5h5BE#sschat
A6) Memoirs are one of my go-to lit sources due to power of expressing the lived experience, but try to balance w/ voices (oral histories, primary sources, etc.) that show other experiences as well #sschat
#sschat And with respect to historical accuracy, please reconsider using LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE. You MUST do a careful analysis of it. And books that present Thanksgiving, uncritically, too! Info here: https://t.co/8ttGU82NKF
#sschat And with respect to historical accuracy, please reconsider using LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE. You MUST do a careful analysis of it. And books that present Thanksgiving, uncritically, too! Info here: https://t.co/8ttGU82NKF
A6: Find quality reviews from experts on the topic. Even vet teachers often use problematic lit unknowingly. For example, @debreese' site & tweets have been invaluable for ensuring more accurate & full portrayals of Indigenous Peoples and Nations: https://t.co/1aN0v5h5BE#sschat
My rule #1 (applied to me as well as students, parents, etc.) support any assertions you make with verifiable evidence if/when requested. It always worked, and everyone accepted it as fair. #sschat
#sschat And all teachers ought to have a copy of @rdunbaro's INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES! Use it to cross check every bit of info you come across. The misinformation in educational materials is so deep and broad.
#sschat And with respect to historical accuracy, please reconsider using LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE. You MUST do a careful analysis of it. And books that present Thanksgiving, uncritically, too! Info here: https://t.co/8ttGU82NKF
