Teaching Difficult Histories in Difficult Times: Stories of Practice

Teaching about difficult histories is essential for social studies courses and units across grade levels. This practical resource provides stories of K–12 practitioners who have critically examined and reflected on their experiences with planning and teaching histories identified as difficult. The book is divided into four main sections and covers key topics such as genocide, slavery, immigration, war, racial violence, and terrorism. It offers expanded notions of what difficult histories can be and how they can be approached pedagogically, thoughtful pictures of practice, and examples from a wide range of educational contexts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 11 February 2022
Publisher: Teachers' College Press

Teaching about difficult histories is a crucial component of social studies courses and units at all grade levels. This practical resource showcases narratives from K–12 practitioners who have critically analyzed and reflected on their experiences with planning and teaching histories that are considered challenging. The voices of teacher educators, classroom teachers, and museum educators are featured in these stories, offering rare examples of effective strategies for planning, teaching, and reflecting on difficult histories. The book is organized into four main sections: Centering Difficult History Content, Centering Teacher and Student Identities, Centering Local and Contemporary Contexts, and Centering Teacher Decision-making. Key topics covered include teaching about genocide, slavery, immigration, war, racial violence, and terrorism. This dynamic book emphasizes the practitioner's perspective to showcase how teachers can and do engage students in rigorous, complex, and appropriate studies of the past.

Expanded notions of what difficult histories can encompass and pedagogical approaches to teaching them.

Thoughtful illustrations of practices employed in teaching some of the most complex histories.

Stories of K–12 teachers and museum educators, supported by the research of renowned scholars in social studies education.

Examples from a diverse range of educational contexts in the United States and other countries.

Resources that are valuable to teachers and teacher educators.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807766446