Written for the elementary social studies methods course, this 'interactive' program features a combined textbook-workbook that is thoroughly integrated with a dynamic website. To accommodate the visual preferences of today's college students, the layout of the print text features a larger-than-usual font, bulleted lists, and contemporary graphics. The program's interactive approach and flexibility allow instructors to model the kinds of teaching principles and practices that students will want to use in their own elementary school classrooms. These principles and practices are integrated throughout the text and include active-learning strategies, application of constructivist principles, a focus on big ideas and thinking skills, use of the Internet, and modeling of best practices and performance-based assessments (based on INTASC and NCATE standards). As a result, the book serves as a springboard for classroom activities, website explorations, and/or instructor-led activities.

Author Biography

James A. Duplass (Ph.D., St. Louis University) is a professor at the University of South Florida (USF), a Carnegie I urban university. The social studies program at USF is NCATE and NCSS accredited, and much of the material for this book is a result of research to develop a new curriculum for social studies education. The author has published numerous articles on social studies instruction, served as editor of a regional journal, and authored a book, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHING: STANDARDS: METHODS, AND BEST PRACTICES (Houghton Mifflin, 2006). Dr. Duplass teaches elementary and middle school social studies methods courses to undergraduate and graduate students and a philosophical foundation of social studies education course for doctoral students.