First graders engaged in an extended historical inquiry. Close readings of secondary and primary sources evoked rich class discussion. Scaffolding directed students' scrutiny of secondary sources for historical gaps; they ably detected source and intent within the primary sources. Students articulated newly constructed understandings through…

Metacom's War, also known as King Phillip's War, sets a pattern of national expansion through displacement of native people that echoes throughout American history. Helping students further understand this war through the examination of Mary Rowlandson's primary document provides educators and students with an opportunity to delve deeper into the…

With character education a continuing objective of social studies teaching, effective educators address that challenge by first understanding the principles of their discipline and the opportunities for examining character values. Next, strategy comes to the forefront as teachers directly focus on the men and women of history as a major ingredient…