SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

More than Just Chit-Chat: Teaching Social Studies with Podcasts

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2024 Issue

By David Allyn

Social studies teachers often feel pulled in numerous directions at once. We want to cover national history and world history. The past and the present. Essay writing and public speaking. But there is a limited amount of time in the school year, and it often feels like we can’t give our students everything they need.

Meanwhile, in the United States, students’ knowledge of both history and civics is at an all-time low. Scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed a steep decline in 8th-graders’ knowledge and comprehension of history and civics. Only 13 percent of students rated as “proficient” in history, while just 22 percent reached proficiency in civics, the lowest percentages in decades.

In my classes at Avenues, a private, non-sectarian school in New York City, I use a team-structured, project-based approach to teach history and civics. It’s an approach that covers nearly all the bases: it requires students to research the past, examine current events, tackle controversial topics, engage in formal writing, and develop their public speaking skills. Best of all, they get to engage in research that is deeply meaningful and relevant to them, which inspires students to pour themselves into their work.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

David Allyn, PhD, teaches at Avenues: The World School in New York City. He holds a PhD in History from Harvard University and has taught at Princeton University and Marymount Manhattan College.

Education News

American Lung Association Urges Schools to Test for Radon to Protect Students and Staff

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, and colorless radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors, including in schools.

NASSP Launches New Online Course to Help Principals Build Career-Connected Learning 

Designed by and for school leaders, the course provides a step-by-step framework to help principals create career-connected learning experiences using their existing teams and resources.

COSI Earns Four Emmy® Awards for Delivering Science Programming That Engages, Resonates, and Sticks

COSI’s Emmy® wins include its hit animated series “Dr. B in 3,” which transforms complex science into bite-sized lessons for curious minds of all ages.

Common Sense Media Launches New Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum

Revamped curriculum features lessons on online safety, building healthy mindsets, managing screen time, AI literacy, and more.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

David Allyn
David Allyn
David Allyn, PhD, teaches at Avenues: The World School in New York City. He holds a PhD in History from Harvard University and has taught at Princeton University and Marymount Manhattan College.

Advertisement

Read More

American Lung Association Urges Schools to Test for Radon to Protect Students and Staff

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, and colorless radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors, including in schools.

Professional and Present: Creating Healthy Boundaries in Your First Year of Teaching

Early in your teaching career, there are many areas in which you should consider establishing boundaries. Here are three that should be at the top of your list.

NASSP Launches New Online Course to Help Principals Build Career-Connected Learning 

Designed by and for school leaders, the course provides a step-by-step framework to help principals create career-connected learning experiences using their existing teams and resources.

COSI Earns Four Emmy® Awards for Delivering Science Programming That Engages, Resonates, and Sticks

COSI’s Emmy® wins include its hit animated series “Dr. B in 3,” which transforms complex science into bite-sized lessons for curious minds of all ages.

3 Places to Buy Sensory Toys Online for Special Needs Students

Explore sensory toys that support focus, calming, and skill-building for students with special needs—plus where to find them online.

Ditch the Desk and Embrace the Flex

I began the school year in a classroom with eighteen standard desks. Today, I have none. This isn’t a lament about budgetary constraints or overcrowded classrooms; it’s a deliberate choice.
juegos de maquinitas de fresitas | aviator ganar dinero | casino life cdmx | juegos de mesa casino | casino palace | pop casino | casino monaco | noche de casino | big bola casinos león | vegas casinò online | tragamonedas halloween online gratis | casino de montecarlo | casinò online sicuro | playwin casino | trabajos online desde casa para ganar dinero | sistema atila ruleta | ruleta de spotify personalizada | joy casino tepic | big bola casino | kevin roldan ruleta rusa mp3 | probabilidades de ganar en la ruleta | casino caliente en linea | 7 mile casino | ganar dinero por internet haciendo trabajos | manchester city vs crystal palace | casino de la selva | caliente | combinaciones de poker | juegos legales para ganar dinero | free las vegas slot machines | casinos en mazatlan | casino vegas tepic | kickapoo lucky eagle casino hotel | the linq hotel and casino las vegas | imagen ruleta casino | joy casino tepic | samba slot machine | yak gran sur | aplicaciones para apostar en deportes | golden acorn casino and travel center | top casino | big bola casino santa fe | como se juega a la ruleta online | ruleta de sorteo | casino fiesta | kickapoo casino | juegos de casino online en venezuela | total games juegos exclusivos |