ABSTRACT
We noted in Chapter 2 that teaching school subjects for understanding, appreciation, and life application involves teaching networks of connected content structured around big ideas, developed with emphasis on their connections and applications. Jan and Jere’s units are constructed accordingly, and when Barbara previews them to begin her instructional planning, she pays special attention to the big ideas highlighted for each lesson. Much of her planning involves devising ways to connect these big ideas to her students’ prior experiences, to pave the way for her efforts to help them construct the intended understandings. She always plans explanations, questions, and activities to help them see (and in some cases, carry out) applications of these ideas to their lives outside of school. This is basic to making social studies meaningful, memorable, and otherwise powerful for her students. Chapters 5-8 illustrate how Barbara structures her teaching around big ideas.
