Chauncey Monte-Sano

Although the Common Core and C3 Framework highlight literacy and inquiry as central goals for social studies, they do not offer guidelines, assessments, or curriculum resources. This practical guide presents six research-tested historical investigations along with all corresponding teaching materials and tools that have improved the historical thinking and argumentative writing of academically diverse students. Each investigation integrates reading, analysis, planning, composing, and reflection into a writing process that results in an argumentative history essay. Primary sources have been modified to allow struggling readers access to the material. Web links to original unmodified primary sources are also provided, along with other sources to extend investigations. The authors include sample student essays from each investigation to illustrate the progress of two different learners and explain how to support students’ development. Each chapter includes these helpful sections: Historical Background, Literacy Practices Students Will Learn, How to Teach This Investigation, How Might Students Respond?, Student Writing and Teacher Feedback, Lesson Plans and Materials.

Featuring an expanded introduction, this award-winning bestseller has been updated to link curriculum to the Common Core State Standards. This popular text shows how to apply Wineburg’s highly acclaimed approach to teaching—Reading Like a Historian—to middle and high school classrooms, increasing academic literacy and sparking students’ curiosity. Each chapter begins with an introductory essay that sets the stage of a key moment in American history—beginning with exploration and colonisation and the events at Jamestown and ending with the Cuban Missile Crisis. Primary documents, charts, graphic organisers, visual images, and political cartoons follow each essay, as well as suggestions for where to find additional resources on the Internet and guidance for assessing students’ understanding of core historical ideas. Reading Like a Historian helps teachers use textbooks creatively and provides a wealth of ideas for how historical instruction can enhance students’ skills in reading comprehension.