The best history/social studies classes are those in which students act as historians, political scientists, and economists. The best teachers are those who model "discipline-specific expertise." There is an effective formula for achieving the Common Core State Standards' goal of college and career readiness in history/social studies: -Establish the foundation for future academic work, subject area knowledge and skill development -Take deliberate advantage of students prior knowledge of those topics taught multiple times from elementary school through high school -Increase the complexity of...

The best history/social studies classes are those in which students act as historians, political scientists, and economists. The best teachers are those who model "discipline-specific expertise." There is an effective formula for achieving the Common Core State Standards' goal of college and career readiness in history/social studies: -Establish the foundation for future academic work, subject area knowledge and skill development -Take deliberate advantage of students prior knowledge of those topics taught multiple times from elementary school through high school -Increase the complexity of...