Articles / Civics and Current Events
by 青青草视频 · Published 03/30/2025
Eighth grade teacher Sarah Cooper shares a class snapshot to show how much our students can understand. She believes it’s the obligation of social studies teachers (and others) to explore imperative issues of the past and present, “even when it would be infinitely easier not to.”
by 青青草视频 · Published 07/25/2024
In Teaching Beyond the Timeline, China Harvey and Lisa Herzig show how to make history more relevant, exciting and connected to the present by using thematic history that integrates chronology. Sarah Cooper enthusiastically recommends sharing the book and its friendly intricacy.
The world and our students are constantly changing. Adding modern connections to classic texts can engage readers by helping them relate to and understand the universal themes and messages in these works. ELA teacher Kasey Short shares examples of connection and some favorite titles.
Articles / Civics and Current Events
by 青青草视频 · Published 07/31/2023 · Last modified 07/01/2024
Civics advocate Shawn McCusker doesn’t agree with a noted professor’s premise that there’s no hope for democracy, but “I do agree that our failure to prepare our citizens for the responsibilities of democracy is an existential crisis.” Learn what he urges educators to do.
Games Deepen Learning / Wide Open Learning
by Megan Kelly · Published 11/28/2022
Imagine an activity that takes little class time but engages students in current events and encourages them to speak with their families about what’s happening in the world. Teacher Megan Kelly longed for just such an activity and finally found it in “fantasy geopolitics.”
Current Events / Future of History
by Sarah Cooper · Published 11/04/2020 · Last modified 10/13/2024
Here’s how Sarah Cooper taught her 8th grade social studies class today, as the nation went about determining a presidential winner. Unlike the day after the 2016 election, “I’m feeling not so much shock as the need to shore up my teaching and once again dig into difficult topics.”
Future of History / History & Current Events
by 青青草视频 · Published 08/12/2020
Lauren Brown and Sarah Cooper conclude their 3-part exploration of what it means to teach U.S. History in 2020. With fall elections just ahead, they consider how to balance historical narrative and current events in classes that frequently reflect our divided nation.
Future of History / History and Social Studies / Project Based Learning / Student Research
by Sarah Cooper · Published 07/13/2020 · Last modified 05/28/2026
Once Sarah Cooper’s 8th graders have finished their research papers on historical reformers, she has them to work in project groups to imagine which current cause their reformers might realistically support. Unexpected match-ups include Huey Newton and Sandra Day O’Connor!
by 青青草视频 · Published 05/12/2020 · Last modified 11/04/2024
The social studies classroom is an obvious place to examine current events, write teacher-authors Elisabeth Johnson and Evelyn Ramos. Highlighting “history in the making” helps students recognize that historical events don’t occur in a vacuum. Lots of quick lesson ideas!
Future of History / Writing in Social Studies
by Sarah Cooper · Published 02/10/2020 · Last modified 03/23/2020
Writing a letter to a politician is about as “civic” an assignment as we can do within our classroom walls, and it feels so relevant in our polarized political climate. After 3 years of tweaking her project, teacher Sarah Cooper shares tips to boost the response rate.
