Build a rigorous and relevant social studies curriculum using these 
lessons and resources
 
 

 

 

I spent the first 25 years of my educational career as a high school social studies teacher and K-12 coordinator. More  

This site showcases some of my lessons, resources and web-based instructional projects ~ Peter Pappas

Sample lessons in history, government, economics, civics, geography, 
inquiry and more ...
Media Content Analysis Voter Analysis 
Decision Game Community Action
Cultural Time Capsule Survey Project
World Bank Lesson Best City Project
Congress and the Lobbyists
Economic Decision Making  (130 kb. pdf.)
Gerrymander Exercise (172 kb. pdf.)
The Detective Game: group problem solving

More Lessons and Readings

The Renaissance
An 6th Grade unit integrating social studies, math, science, music, art and foreign language

Work, Culture and Society in Industrial America  Document based questions that explore the new opportunities and social problems of the industrial era

Civic Decision Making  each activity defines an issue, gives background information, and summarizes arguments for and against a particular solution to a problem.

Great Debates in American History units feature the conflicting viewpoints of two or more historical figures or organizations and a worksheet that helps students analyze the debate through a series of comprehension and critical thinking questions. 

Mock Trials for the Classroom Mock trials embody critical thinking in the classroom. Over the years I wrote a number of cases which proved to be effective tools for improving student analytic skills. 

Some of my state-specific 
social studies workshops
Michigan  |  New Jersey


 

 Workshop PowerPoint Handouts PDF
Rigor. Relevance and Technology (444 kb pdf.)
Summarizing (374 kb pdf.)
Analysis (66 kb pdf.)

More Rigor and Relevance from Peter Pappas 
Send me an email for information on bringing my workshop to your school.

Twitter: Edteck
Blog: www.peterpappas.com 
Showcase: www.edteck.com

Developing Assessments (228 kb. pdf.) 
Curriculum Inventory (36 kb pdf)
The Rigor and Relevance Framework  (95 kb pdf.)
Sample Performance Rubrics (30kb. pdf.)
Performance Planning (14kb pdf.)
Changing Roles (83 kb pdf.)

Timeline series:  I'm proud to serve as a consultant to Timeline a series of graphic novels that combine exciting fiction, fascinating historical facts and lavish illustrations. Reading levels 4-8. Interest levels 4-12.

Webs

Teaching With Documents a guide to document- based instruction. Winner of Philadelphia Inquirer's "10 Best Educational Sites" Recommended by DistrictAdministration Magazine's Dr. Hotlist

K-12 Social Studies Program Guide As a former social studies director, I used the web to effectively coordinate district program, standards and assessments.

Sociology a good model of how you can use a website to support classroom instruction. Makes use of a variety of on-line resources

More of my Resource Sites

Technology Connections That Work  forge students, teachers, administrators, and parents into effective educational partners

Content Reading Strategies that Work  Literacy strategies for academic success. 

Professional Development That Works Strategies, Solutions and Innovations for Technology Leaders

Small Learning Communities that Work - the Ninth Grade Academy and the Summer Prep School.

To access more of my publications click here.

Copyright © 1997-2012, 
Peter Pappas, unless otherwise noted,

All content licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.