Archive | 2019
Multiple Perspectives: Engaging Diverse Voices in the Social Studies Classroom
Abstract
The C3 Framework and Common Core Standards place an emphasis on the role of sources in social studies instruction, creating the opportunity for teachers to engage English language learners (ELLs) through the investigation of multiple perspectives. In order to demonstrate the importance of examining multiple perspectives within social studies content, our chapter showcases two pedagogical strategies – Structured Academic Controversy and Reader’s Theater – that teachers can use to make content accessible and highlight students’ diverse voices. In this chapter, we draw on a framework for multicultural education, present each pedagogical strategy, and discuss how these strategies support a social studies curriculum that is culturally and linguistically responsive to the needs of ELLs.