The Social Studies FIELD Guide
Strategies & Tools to Captivate Students, Cultivate Critical Thinking, and Create Engaged Citizens
Foreword by Joel Breakstone
Your roadmap to creating engaging and impactful social studies lessons that prepare students for the adventures and challenges of tomorrow
In today's rapidly changing society, it is essential for students to develop critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning skills. The traditional model of rote memorization of dates and facts in social studies classrooms no longer engages students or adequately prepares them for the complexities of the modern world.
In The Social Studies FIELD Guide, authors Joe Schmidt and Glenn Wiebe illuminate a transformative path for educators to improve social studies education by moving away from memorization and towards meaningful and active learning. This comprehensive guide delves into the heart of inquiry-based learning, integrating the rich tapestry of primary sources and the cutting-edge potential of educational technology. As the educational landscape evolves, this FIELD—Foundational Evidence, Inquiry, EdTech, and Lesson Design—Guide is a beacon for teachers seeking to bring history and civics alive for their students.
By utilizing primary sources and encouraging students to think critically about historical events from multiple perspectives, the FIELD framework fosters a deeper understanding of past events and their relevance to current issues through
- Innovative Framework: Provides a cohesive structure through the FIELD acronym for creating dynamic social studies lessons
- Research-Driven Insights: Offers a synthesis of key research in social studies education, equipping teachers with evidence-based strategies for classroom success
- Practical Application: Presents “Hikes” in each chapter, offering instructional ideas that translate theoretical concepts into actionable classroom practices
- Technology Integration: Guides educators in leveraging educational technology tools to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes
- Focus on Inquiry: Integrates inquiry-based learning where students explore authentic questions and investigate real-world problems
Step into the future of social studies education with The Social Studies FIELD Guide, an indispensable resource that distills decades of teaching expertise into actionable insights, empowering educators to craft meaningful and engaging lessons without the burden of sifting through overwhelming resources. Each chapter is a wellspring of tools, examples, and practical ideas, ensuring that social studies teachers can navigate the wilderness of modern education with confidence and creativity.
In today’s education landscape, the abundance of digital resources can overwhelm educators. Glenn Wiebe and Joe Schmidt’s FIELD Guide is an inspiration for social studies teachers, offering clear educational strategies grounded in their extensive classroom experience. It provides effective approaches for engaging students through inquiry-based learning, integrating primary sources, and utilizing technology effectively.
Joe and Glenn, two of the most knowledgeable educators and leaders in our field, have developed an invaluable tool that should be required reading for all early career (and even veteran) teachers with their new collaboration, The Social Studies FIELD Guide. Combining their years of experience both in and out of the classroom as teachers, leaders, and consultants with research based instructional practices, they have a created a resource that directs both new and veteran teachers along a series of “hikes” that show what quality social studies education can and should look like. Each chapter provides readers with a clear purpose and goal focusing on four main concepts: foundational evidence, inquiry, EdTech, and learning design, alongside practical F.I.E.L.D. Guide Hikes at Easy, Moderate, and Difficult levels with practical strategies and clear examples of implementation.
Joe and Glenn have created an educators' guide that is a bit of a unicorn: grounded in research and expertise, yet decidedly not boring. The Social Studies FIELD Guide elevates student voice and experience, challenges teachers to take risks, and leans on creativity, humor, and brilliant anecdotes to demonstrate the power of deliberately engaging social studies.
In The Social Studies FIELD Guide, Joe and Glenn have provided critical pedagogical insight, effective strategies, and practical tools supported by the right mix of research and real-world examples. The guide will be indispensable to all educators who want to make social studies meaningful and immediately impact student learning in the classroom.
Joe Schmidt and Glenn Wiebe's must-read book is essential for every social studies teacher. With my district recently adopting a teacher clarity initiative incorporating visible learning that provides limited social studies examples, this guide fills the gap. It offers a step-by-step approach grounded in research-based educational programs, primary sources, inquiry, and EdTech, all aligned with standards. The Social Studies FIELD Guide meets teachers at their current level, provides reflective opportunities in each chapter, and paves a clear path for professional growth.
Have you, fellow teacher, ever had a chat with a smart colleague that left you energized about instruction and with some great teaching ideas? The Social Studies FIELD Guide feels like that conversation on steroids. My two new colleagues, Joe and Glenn, have engaged me in an inspiring dialogue about teaching. I closed the book committed to becoming a better social studies teacher and armed with ideas to make that happen.
The Social Studies FIELD Guide is an invaluable resource that provides a well-rounded approach to the teaching and learning of social studies. In the text, Joe and Glenn draw from their extensive teaching experiences and share practical insights and lessons learned over the years. This text is a gem because it offers scaffolded examples for each recommended activity, catering to the diverse needs of classroom teachers of various experiences.
Joe and Glenn's FIELD Guide offers practical strategies for teachers, inspired by John Hattie's research. It helps both pre-service and current educators engage students, fostering critical thinking and curiosity. This guide equips teachers to prepare learners for success in today’s rapidly changing world.
