Place-Based Social Studies Education: Learning From Flint, Michigan

The book "Place-Based Education in the Social Studies: Lessons from Flint" emphasizes the importance of incorporating place-based education in the social studies curriculum to promote critical inquiry and social change. It examines the Flint water crisis and offers insights from educators in the community, providing practical examples for teachers to apply place-based education principles in their classrooms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2024
Publisher: Teachers' College Press

This book is a powerful testament to the importance and value of including place-based education in the social studies curriculum. It uses the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, as a touchstone for exploring the significance of local contexts in shaping our understanding of the world. Author Whitlock delves deep into this local environmental issue, not only to stimulate critical inquiry in the classroom but also to demonstrate how the curriculum can drive meaningful social change in the community.

Throughout the book, Whitlock highlights critical place inquiry and place-based education with an overarching inquiry question: How can schools respond to the needs of their communities? How can schooling be reimagined to center place? How can teacher preparation be place-based? What lessons can we learn from the Flint crisis and where do we go from here?

Individual chapters investigate this inquiry question by examining Flint and the Flint water crisis in greater detail, as well as the valuable insights we can gain from Flint educators. Social studies teachers (Pre-K-16) can use these experiences to inform their own approach to understanding their own places.

One of the key features of this book is its use of narrative inquiry, which includes interviews with school officials, teachers, parents, and teacher educators. Through these conversations, Whitlock provides a firsthand account of the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing place-based education in schools. The book offers valuable takeaways in every chapter that assist educators in applying place-based education principles to their classrooms. Written in an accessible journalistic style that is both scholarly and personal, the book appeals to a wide range of readers, including educators, policymakers, and community members.

In addition to its insightful content, the book also includes photographs taken by the author that vividly illustrate the story of Flint and its residents. These photographs bring the text to life and help readers connect with the people and places that are at the heart of the water crisis.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in promoting place-based education and understanding the importance of local contexts in shaping our world. It provides a wealth of information and insights that can be applied to a wide range of educational settings and communities.

Dimension: 235 x 162 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807769751