Additional information
by Laurel Schmidt (Author)
The announcement that Its social studies time often elicits dread from students who mistakenly view the subject as a near-death experience. And who can blame them when this fascinating subject has been stripped of the heartbreak, adventure, conflict, treachery, strategic brilliance, and spectacular foiblesin short, the humanitythat its supposed to explain? Student apathy and rock-bottom test scores scream that its time for a changefor unforgettable, not regrettable, social studies. Its time for Social Studies That Sticks. In Social Studies That SticksLaurel Schmidt introduces a brain-compatible approach to integrated, standards-based instruction, using the four elements of the human learning cycle: awareness, exploration, inquiry, and action. This dynamic approach brings content and concepts to life, while sharpening skills in questioning, thinking, reading, writing, and the visual and performing arts. It promotes academic achievement, models the habits of active citizenship, tunes students ethical antennae to social problems, and teaches tools students can use to advocate for change. Social Studies That Sticks is a comprehensive, passionate, and user-friendly guide that:
- identifies essential social studies themes, standards, and skills
- models maximum use of primary source documents, eye-witness narratives, biographies, and historical fiction
- describes how artifacts, objects, art, photography, and architecture can be tools for inquiry and learning
- explores the community of a social studies classroom
- tackles matters of cultural perspective, point of view, bias, and propaganda
- transforms current events into historical investigations
- maps vital steps for social-justice projects
- provides guidelines for essays, presentations, oral histories, personal narratives, and original historic writing
- outlines dozens of authentic assessments
- introduces theLearning Ledger for student self-assessment
- pinpoints archival material, hundreds of books and websites, and historical resources for research and classroom use.
Author Biography
Laurel Schmidt is the author of three Heiemann titles: Social Studies That Sticks (2007), Classroom Confidential (2004), and Gardening in the Minefield: A Survival Guide for School Administrators (2002). Laurel has worked for thirty years in education as a teacher, principal, curriculum development specialist, consultant, lecturer, and writer. Currently she is the Director of Pupil Services for the Santa Monica-Malibu School District and an adjunct professor at Antioch University. She is also the author of Seven Times Smarter: 50 Ways to Develop the Multiple Intelligences in Your Child (Three Rivers Press, 2001). You can email Laurel at schmidtl@smmusd.org and visit her website at www.laurelschmidt.com.
