Social Studies Lessons for High School is designed for social studies teachers to use with their government and history courses. It was developed in response to a shift in education throughout our country: a move away from rote memorization and toward the critical thinking skills necessary for many of the new performance assessment programs.

Each lesson will enable teachers to teach seven specific critical thinking skills in a step-by-step process. The information has been adapted for old media and new media formats. Web sites will be provided that will allow teachers to choose the most appropriate resource for the selected activity. All selections can be copied for classroom use. Teachers may adapt activities to allow students to complete assignments via the web.

Bob Black is former Teachers Network web mentor. He is a social studies teacher at the Harbor City Learning Center, located across the street from the historic Edgar Allen Poe House  in Baltimore, MD.

Template

Explanation

Information is often presented in chart, table, or graph formats. Data in chart form might show the structure of something, a certain process, or common items in one category. Tables usually list data in a specific order. Graphs are visual illustrations of data for specific purposes:

• Line graphs - to see changes or trends
• Bar graphs - to make comparisons
• Circle graphs - to show relationships

• Data Interpretation Introduction
• Lesson Plan
• Sample Student Template