Social Studies for a Better World: An Anti-oppressive Approach for Elementary Educators

by Noreen Naseem Rodriguez, Katy Swalwell

In the wake of 2020, we need today’s young learners to be prepared to develop solutions to a host of entrenched and complex issues, including systemic racism, massive environmental problems, deep political divisions, and future pandemics that will severely test the effectiveness and equity of our health policies. What better place to start that preparation than with a social studies curriculum that enables elementary students to envision and build a better world?In this engaging guide two experienced social studies educators unpack the oppressions that so often characterize the elementary curriculum—normalization, idealization, heroification, and dramatization—and show how common pitfalls can be replaced with creative solutions. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, methods student, or curriculum coordinator, this is a book that can transform your understanding of the social studies disciplines and their power to disrupt the narratives that maintain current inequities.

Genres: Education, College, Grad School, Professional Development, Nonfiction, Teaching

233 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2021

Reviews

[Lauren McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually loved this textbook, really excited to have difficult justice conversations in my future classroom

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a whim, and it has quickly become one of my favorite educational resources. It’s packed with insightful, practical, and inspiring content. This book has completely shifted my perspective on teaching social studies, both in how I've been taught and how I aspire to teach. I love it! Every teacher should read it!

[Lauryn Leslie]

I read this book for my Teaching Social Studies class this semester. Unfortunately, the way social studies is currently taught in elementary schools is oppressive and problematic. This book taught me how to approach teaching social studies in an anti-oppressive way. This means including counter narratives in the history we teach, avoiding heroification of figures that are put on pedestals (George Washington was a slave owner), and going beyond the easy MLK and Rosa Parks curriculum. While they were essential to the Civil Rights Movement, there were far more people involved and their stories are left untold. This book gave me the space to be critical of the way I was taught social studies, relearn history, and situate myself to be a teacher that is anti-oppressive and critical.

[Mikayla Beckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

love love love!!! This was SUCH a transformative book that really made me rethink the way I was taught social studies and the way that I hope to teach social studies. I genuinely feel like every teacher or teacher candidate should read this

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for every social studies educator - especially elementary.

[Amie Murphy]

I read this book as part of a course for my Master’s degree. I did find it interesting but will not be rating it.

[Libbie George · Rating 4 out of 5]

FASCINATING!!!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this for class and had some really enlightening points :-)

[gi! · Rating 3 out of 5]

eed 379

[Brooke Shackelford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of great information in it for elementary Social Studies teachers to unpack the "oppressions that so often characterize the elementary curriculum―normalization, idealization, heroification, and dramatization―and show how common pitfalls can be replaced with creative solutions.". It covers everything from how to teach about community helpers to the youngest students, up to teaching other topics like the Founding Fathers, Underground Railroad, Suffragists, and the Civil Rights movement. I knew a lot of the information already, but it was good to learn new things too.

[Brian Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great! As a social studies teacher, methods instructor, and education consultant, this book helped me reflect on my own teaching and curriculum design through an anti-oppressive lens. The book offers great examples of how to improve curricula you already have but also gives you idea for how to expand it. This is a great read for any teacher!

[Joey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great beginning and then....no.