Sapiens

DECEMBER 4, 2024

In early 2024, Spain’s culture minister announced that the nation would overhaul its state museum collections, igniting a wave of anticipation—and controversy. ✽ WHEN SPAIN’S CULTURE MINISTER, Ernest Urtasun, announced his intention to overhaul the nation’s state museum collections earlier this year, his plan “to move beyond a colonial framework” reopened old wounds and sparked heated debates about national identity and historical representation.

Museum 125

Museum Archaeology Artifacts Heritage 125

Cult of Pedagogy

DECEMBER 8, 2024

Listen to my interview with Claire English ( transcript ) Sponsored by Alpaca and Scholastic Magazines+ This page contains Amazon Affiliate and Bookshop.org links. When you make a purchase through these links, Cult of Pedagogy gets a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. What’s the difference between Amazon and Bookshop.org? The year started off beautifully: You had your routines in place, made your expectations clear, and for a while, your students were behaving just fine.

Classroom Management 283

Classroom Management Pedagogy Library Teaching 283

Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Deep within Cantabria, Spain, the Las Monedas cave offers a stunning glimpse into the lives of our Upper Paleolithic ancestors. While much of the art attributed to this era has been studied through the lens of adult craftsmanship, a recent study shifts the focus to children. By integrating insights from developmental psychology, researchers have identified playful and imaginative marks made by young artists, fundamentally rethinking prehistoric creativity.

Archaeology 105

Archaeology Psychology Cultures Anthropology 105

NCHE

DECEMBER 2, 2024

When a Pennsylvania school board in 2020 pulled over 300 books and materials from school bookshelves, a student group at the high school, the Panther Anti-Racist Union, took note. All the banned books were by or about people of color or of diverse genders (including even a student PowerPoint on helping minority students take the SAT). Faculty sponsors Patricia Jackson and Ben Hodge helped the students to first talk with the administration, after which the group decided to hold a series of mornin

Advocacy 130

Advocacy Education Education Policy Teaching 130

Passion for Social Studies

DECEMBER 27, 2024

One topic that is always popular when teaching any government course is the presidency. Honestly, students are always so engaged to learn about the person who is the leader of the United States. They want to know everything they can about the role once the person officially enters the White House. So, teaching the executive branch is always fun and exciting!

Teaching 130

Teaching Lesson Plan Government US Government 130

Zinn Education Project

DECEMBER 12, 2024

The 2024 election revealed a troubling reality: Widespread miseducation and fear-mongering continue to shape political outcomes at the expense of people of color and marginalized communities. This is why the right launched a nationwide anti-CRT campaign and book bans restricting teaching about systemic racism, and erasing the histories of immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities.

Critical Thinking 98

Critical Thinking History Teaching Education 98

The Hechinger Report

DECEMBER 2, 2024

This story is part of a collaboration on chronic absenteeism among Native American students between The Associated Press and ICT, a news outlet that covers Indigenous issues. It is reprinted with permission. SAN CARLOS, Ariz. — After missing 40 days of school last year, Tommy Betom, 10, is on track this year for much better attendance. The importance of showing up has been stressed repeatedly at school — and at home.

Elementary School 96

Elementary School Charter School Cultures High School 96

Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 27, 2024

The origins of Indo-European languages, which today stretch from Ireland to India, have long fascinated archaeologists and linguists. A new study 1 adds clarity to this enduring mystery by examining ancient genomes across the Mediterranean. Researchers have discovered a genetic divide during the Bronze Age, which correlates with linguistic patterns between Eastern and Western Indo-European populations.

Ancestry 110

Ancestry Cultures History Research 110

Political Science Now

DECEMBER 9, 2024

In the APSA Public Scholarship Program, graduate students in political science produce summaries of new research in the American Political Science Review. This piece, written by Jack Wippell, covers the new article by Tabitha Bonilla, “The Influence of Partisanship on Assessments of Promise Fulfillment and Accountability.” Does partisanship undermine accountability?

Political Science 57

Political Science Sociology Humanities Cultures 57

Passion for Social Studies

DECEMBER 15, 2024

Teachers are always looking for creative ways to freshen up their lessons. Since student needs are constantly changing and evolving, it is essential learning does as well. One tried and true method that offers amazing engagement and interest involves projects. These allow students to express their knowledge through tons of creative outlets. For some, this may mean making a presentation.

History 130

History Primary Sources Critical Thinking Social Studies 130

Zinn Education Project

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The right is doing all they can to suppress the teaching of history, but they are not succeeding. How do we know? Check out this list of lessons that were most frequently downloaded from the Zinn Education Project website this year! Read the list and donate so that we can provide more teachers with these lessons in 2025. Teaching the Seeds of Violence in Palestine-Israel By Bill Bigelow A mixer/mystery activity on Zionism, anti-Zionism, peasant resistance, the Great War, the British Mandate, and

Primary Sources 98

Primary Sources History Government Teaching 98

Sapiens

DECEMBER 3, 2024

A team of archaeologists working in Southeast Asia is pushing toward a deeper understanding of history that amplifies Indigenous and local perspectives to challenge traditional archaeological timelines. ✽ When you think of “prehistory,” what images come to mind? Dinosaurs roaming ancient landscapes? Saber-toothed tigers on the hunt? Humans huddled in caves.

History 143

History Archaeology Heritage Oral History 143

Moler's Musing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

This week in 8th-grade social studies, we dove deep into the Constitutional Convention and the ratification debates, using a variety of EduProtocols to engage students and build understanding. From Frayer Models to define key terms and concepts, to Sketch and Tell-O and 8Parts Sourcing for visual analysis and critical thinking, each day offered a structured and interactive way for students to connect with history.

Primary Sources 111

Primary Sources Government Critical Thinking History 111

Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 19, 2024

For decades, archaeologists have described the architectural evolution of early human settlements as a transition from circular to rectangular structures—a shift thought to reflect deeper societal changes. But a new study led by Hadas Goldgeier, Dr. Antoine Muller, and Prof. Leore Grosman from the Hebrew University challenges this simplified narrative.

Archaeology 97

Archaeology Anthropology Tradition Humanities 97

The Hechinger Report

DECEMBER 9, 2024

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. In 1953, Brbara Flores entered kindergarten at Washington Elementary School in Madera, California, a small city in the Central Valley surrounded by farm fields. Her mother and grandmother had talked it up: Youre going to learn a lot. Youre going to like it. She believed them.

Elementary School 120

Elementary School Education K-12 History 120

NCHE

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Jen Jacobs on Multidimensionality, Memorability, and Making History Come Alive A member of our EPiC grant in Michigan, Jen Jacobs, shared her journey into teaching and the impact that journey has left on her since. Sometimes teaching isnt a first job or even a first calling. For Jen Jacobs, middle school teacher and a member of our EPiC grant, the calling of teaching came later in life.

Civics 246

Civics History Middle School Humanities 246

C3 Teachers

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Engaging with inquiry in the social studies classroom can feel like stepping onto a tightropebalancing time, standards, and student needs all at once. But heres the thing: you dont have to dive headfirst into a full-scale investigation to get students curious and thinking critically. Small, manageable inquiry moments can transform your lessons, building student confidence and sparking their love for exploring big questions.

Social Studies 98

Social Studies Critical Thinking Cultures 98

Sapiens

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Anthropologists from around the globe brought dazzling insights and deeply reported concerns to the digital pages of SAPIENS magazine. We are honored to have collaborated with dozens of anthropologists this year who shared compelling essays, opinion pieces, poems, and podcast episodes at SAPIENS. It is no small task for academics to transform their research and experiences into pieces that are evocative, insightful, and persuasive.

Archiving 105

Archiving Human Rights Humanities Cultures 105

Political Science Now

DECEMBER 20, 2024

In the APSA Public Scholarship Program, graduate students in political science produce summaries of new research in the American Political Science Review. This piece, written by Sienna Nordquist , covers the new article by Sumitra Badrinathan, Simon Chauchard, and Niloufer Siddiqui, “Misinformation and Support for Vigilantism: An Experiment in India and Pakistan” In divided societies, religious and ethnic differences can become a lightning rod for conflict and violence.

Political Science 50

Political Science Research 50

Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 1, 2024

The Bond Between Nature and Culture in Borneo The lush rainforests of Borneo are more than just biological treasure troves; they are cultural cornerstones for the island’s indigenous communities. A new biocultural database, developed by researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), reveals the profound connections between Borneo’s rich plant life and the survival, traditions, and identity of its people.

Cultures 96

Cultures Heritage Tradition Economics 96

The Hechinger Report

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Happy holidays, and to those of you who are celebrating today, Merry Christmas! I am so grateful for your readership this year. Reporting on early childhood is an immense privilege, and I appreciate the conversations and story ideas you send my way, as well as the many early educators, experts and parents who have welcomed me into their classrooms and lives.

Classroom Management 105

Classroom Management Economics Humanities Education 105

ED Surge

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Only six weeks had passed since the start of this school year, and I was already feeling exhausted. On a Friday during one of those long, exhausting days, two birds flew into my classroom. It was comical and absurd — for sixty minutes, I watched my high schoolers run around the room, trying to catch these birds. I had to run after my students a couple of times when I saw them doing crazy things like standing on desks and chairs and window sills trying to catch them.

Humanities 123

Humanities High School Teaching Education 123

World History Teachers Blog

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Here is one of my favorite clips to show students when discussing revolutions. Max Fisher explains the origins of national identity in this excellent five-minute clip for the New York Times. He notes that the idea of a national identity is relatively new. Just before the French Revolution, for example, France was not really a nation. Half the people could not even speak French.

208

208

Zinn Education Project

DECEMBER 30, 2024

The fear of retribution for teaching the truth has created such a chilling effect that an astounding two-thirds of U.S. teachers now report self-censoring discussions on race, gender identity, and sexuality in their classrooms. But there is another story about teachers buried beneath the headlines of doom and despair that must be told to fully understand this era of education; this is a story about solidarity, community, hope and resistance.

Teaching 116

Teaching History Education 116

HistoryRewriter

DECEMBER 5, 2024

This month on The Social Studies Show Adam and I will talk about How to Talk Bridgey a report that shares lessons for using civic terms without alienating segments of your audience. The guide summarizes five years of research on civic language and can help teachers facilitate more productive classroom dialogue. Do your students know the coded and loaded words that influencers weaponize to push their buttons?

Civics 246

Civics Social Studies Research Professional Development 246

Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 5, 2024

Cave art has long been a touchstone for understanding the cognitive and cultural worlds of ancient humans. A recent study 1 examining hand stencils in Maltravieso Cave, Extremadura, Spain, provides transformative insights into the origins of symbolic expression. Through uranium-thorium (U-Th) dating, researchers have identified these artworks as some of the oldest known examples of parietal art, potentially created by Neanderthals over 66,000 years ago.

Archaeology 119

Archaeology Heritage Humanities Cultures 119

The Hechinger Report

DECEMBER 9, 2024

Esta historia fue publicada originalmente en ingls por CalMatters. Suscrbete a los boletines de noticias This story was translated by CalMatters. Read in English. En 1953, Brbara Flores entr al knder en la Escuela Primaria Washington en Madera, California, una pequea ciudad en el Valle Central rodeada de campos agrcolas. Su madre y su abuela le haban dicho que iba “a aprender mucho y que le iba a gustar” Flores, una nia que algn da se convertira en maestra, estaba emocionada y les cr

K-12 90

K-12 High School 90

ED Surge

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Several times a week, teachers at Tiny Images, an early learning program in Fairmont, Nebraska, load up babies and toddlers into four- and six-seater carts and take the children on buggy rides through the building. They stop first to visit residents in the assisted living wing before continuing on to those in the nursing home. Just walking down the hall and seeing kids faces light up or residents faces light up it makes your whole day, says Kaci Brandt, director of Tiny Images, which is locate

Advocacy 113

Advocacy Public School Research Educational Technology 113

Let's Cultivate Greatness

DECEMBER 10, 2024

Its easy to focus on just the President when teaching the Executive Branch, but its important also to stress the role of the four million other people who make up this branch of government. With a few targeted activities, though, you can cover the president and the operations of the whole branch in just a couple of weeks. Here are some of my favorite lessons and activities for teaching the executive branch in my high school Civics and Government class.

Civics 52

Civics Government Critical Thinking Social Studies 52

Zinn Education Project

DECEMBER 27, 2024

In 2024, there were increased attacks on teaching Black history, including anti-CRT laws and book bans. To counter these attacks, we secured donations from authors and publishers to increase classroom access to the books listed below on African American history. 10,000 copies of Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad 3,087 copies of the young readers’ edition of The Rebellious Life of Mrs.

American History 52

American History History Teaching Education 52

Teaching American History

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Teaching American History is excited to announce the release of our latest core document volume, the second edition of Free Speech. Edited by Joseph Fornieri , this reader contains a collection of twenty-six landmark court cases, an introductory essay, case introductions, a thematic table of contents, study questions, glossary, and suggestions for further reading.

American History 52

American History Government History Cultures 52

Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 5, 2024

The story of the Clovis people, among the earliest inhabitants of North America, has long been one of hunting mammoths and navigating an Ice Age wilderness. A recent study by Chatters et al., published in Science Advances 1 , dives deeper into this narrative, using groundbreaking stable isotope analysis to reconstruct the diet of the Clovis people through the remains of a child buried 12,800 years ago in Montana.

Archaeology 98

Archaeology Artifacts Cultures Humanities 98

The Hechinger Report

DECEMBER 15, 2024

I work daily with students as an academic adviser. I have referred many of them to my colleges counseling and psychological services office and have helped multiple students withdraw from all their classes due to immediate mental health crises. Many students struggle with mental health so much that they feel they cannot stay in school. The mental health epidemic is real, and that is why we must hold our institutions of higher learning accountable for addressing it.

Psychology 89

Psychology Education 89

ED Surge

DECEMBER 6, 2024

AI has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives and it is already doing so. According to Microsofts 2024 Work Trend Index , 75 percent of knowledge workers use AI, double the percentage of just six months before. Its clear that the ways we communicate, make decisions and solve problems are changing as we embrace this new technology. Education is no exception.

Education 103

Education Interactive Learning Educational Technology Teaching 103

Political Science Now

DECEMBER 12, 2024

From Laughter to Learning: Teaching Methods through Engaging Narrative Workshops By Joel Martinsson , and Emma Ricknell , Linnaeus University Can we increase students grasp and integration of research methods in political science, and do so in a fun way? We believe the answer is yes. In this article, we introduce the workshop-based narrative framework The Tale of Folke Folkesson, where students role-play as the methods expert group Linnaeus Opinion Laboratory (LOL).

Political Science 51

Political Science Teaching Research Education 51

Living Geography

DECEMBER 17, 2024

The DfE has published the results of a survey of Climate Literacy amongst school leavers. Syliva Knight of the Royal Meteorological Society has responded on her LinkedIn account. She was one of the authors of the report: The DfE have just published the results of the 2023/ 2024 Climate Literacy Survey of school leavers (year 11 students), which builds on the initial survey we developed in 2022.

Geography 52

Geography Teaching Education 52

Strange Maps

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Country-level corruption is a tough KPI to quantify. So how do organizations like Transparency International and the World Bank do it? Not by comparing the fiscal, economic, and financial data of each country theyd only end up comparing (rotten) apples to (spoiled) oranges. Instead, to arrive at their Corruption Perceptions Index and Control of Corruption Indicator (respectively), they aggregate the opinions of experts in governance and corruption.

Government 132

Government Economics Tradition Research 132