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The Evidence Base for Social Studies: Government
The Evidence Base for Social Studies: Government
What This Means for Instruction
After a review of the
research, a number of classroom techniques or applications have been found to
be successful with students. Below are some general guidelines to help
educators plan and implement the instruction of government:
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Involve students in classroom and school decision-making such as establishment
of classroom rules or providing opportunities as classroom aides, team
leaders, school government representatives, and representatives of the school
during public events (CIRCLE 2003; Patrick 2002; Soule 2001).
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Discuss local issues and current events and where possible link to global
issues (Niemi and Junn 1998; Patrick 2002, CIRCLE 2003).
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Discuss and analyze readings and issues while incorporating an understanding
of the facts necessary to support the analysis (Patrick 2002).
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Collaborate with community and local institutions through service-learning
projects, guest speakers, field trips, extracurricular opportunities (Patrick
2002).
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Provide students with opportunities to be active participants in the political
process outside of school, especially at the local level (Niemi and Junn 1998).
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Promote the critical analysis of newspapers, news magazines, news programs and
Internet sources (Torney-Purta and Damon 1999).
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Teach basic quantitative skills necessary to read and interpret charts and
tables often found in government, political and news reports (Niemi and Junn
1998).
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