This popular text advocates an inquiry and activity-based view of social studies teaching that respects the points of view of students and teachers. Based in practice and experience, it offers systematic support and open, honest advice for new teachers, is conversational not pedantic, and provides lots of examples. While the structure and most of the topics remain largely the same as before, this Third Edition presents new lesson ideas in every chapter especially designed to help new teachers to address learning standards, to work in inclusive settings, and to promote literacy and the use of technology in social studies classrooms puts a heavier focus on what is important to know and why includes new essays on the politics of social studies education responds to opponents of project- or activity-based social studies instruction and multicultural education with a sharpened defense of both of these approaches throughout the book Intended as a text for undergraduate and graduate pre-service social studies methods courses, this text is also useful for in-service training programs, as a reference for new social studies teachers, and as a resource for experienced social studies educators who are engaged in rethinking their teaching practice.