Social Studies, Literacy, and Social Justice in the Common Core Classroom: A Guide for Teachers

Inspired by the authors' research and work with preservice and beginning teachers, this book presents a unique framework to help educators (grades 3-8) in their efforts to teach for social justice. Grounded in the daily realities of today's public schools, the framework offers a way of planning that takes into account a variety of factors, including pressures related to content coverage, preparing students for high-stakes tests, and the lack of social studies being taught in classrooms. Each chapter explains how teachers can restructure, reshape, and manipulate mandated curriculum materials to teach from a critical perspective. The book also discusses how to meet Language Arts Common Core Standards by teaching language arts and social studies as complementary subjects. This practical resource features teacher strategies, sample lessons, text boxes indicating connections to Common Core Standards, and reflection exercises to help extend concepts into classroom practice.