Using Literacy Strategies to Enhance Social Studies Education in Elementary Classrooms - Paperback

by Kristy A. Brugar (Author), Kathryn L. Roberts (Author)

At its best, social studies instruction, especially at the elementary level, prepares students to be active members of civic life-critical thinkers, advocates, and change makers. Using Literacy Strategies to Enhance Social Studies Education in Elementary Classrooms aims to showcase not only social studies instruction at its best, but also, through classroom examples, the kinds of planning and instruction that facilitate building and using their literacy skills and processes in the service of social studies learning and action. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, creating, and viewing are powerful tools to engage students in meaningful social studies. This book is written for elementary teacher educators and pre-service and in-service teachers to encourage and illustrate intentional integration of literacy skills for deeper and meaningful social studies instruction, particularly instruction that is rigorous and inquiry-driven. Each chapter of this book aligns with one or more of these basic literacy processes and includes examples of research-based pedagogy at two different elementary grade bands, concrete suggestions for instructional approaches for supporting students at varied levels of independence, and tools to support implementation.

Author Biography

Kathryn L. Roberts is a Professor of Reading, Language, and Literature in the Division of Teacher Education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. A former elementary teacher, Roberts earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy form Michigan State University. She now teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in literacy education and enjoys working with educators through professional development. Her research focuses on content-area literacy, visual literacy, early and emergent literacy, and reading comprehension. Her work can be found in journals such as The Elementary School Journal, The Reading Teacher, The Journal of Social Studies Research, and the Journal of Teacher Education.

Kristy A. Brugar is a Professor of Social Studies Education, Chair of the Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum Department (ILAC), and Robert L. and Nan A. Huddleston Presidential Professor of Education at the University of Oklahoma. Brugar has served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Council for History Education (2020-2022), professional organization that elevates the importance of teaching through professional learning, community building, and advocacy. Brugar earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education form Michigan State University. Her research focuses on teacher development, social studies/history education, and interdisciplinary instruction involving inquiry, social studies, literacy, and visual arts. She has published articles in The Elementary School Journal, The Journal of Social Studies Research, and The Journal of Teacher Education.