From the Margins to the Mainstream: Enhancing Social Awareness in the Social Studies Classroom

Cushner and Dowdy, along with their contributors, provide an insightful compilation of activities and experiences for future and current educators to examine their beliefs, practices and understandings of social justice. Leading the field of teacher education and foundations, these authors are continuing a tradition of providing opportunities for pre-service and in-service educators to deepen knowledge and skills of diverse populations, develop advocacy positions and become life long stewards of a living democracy for all students. -- Beverly Shaklee, director, Center for International Education, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia This book fills a large gap in pedagogical materials for teacher education. Social justice is often mentioned, but many instructors do not know how to implement it to the needs of their classrooms. The variety in this text means that social justice should never be a topic that gets left behind. -- Jennifer Mahon, University of Nevada - Reno

Understanding and addressing social justice concerns has become a central focus in an increasing number of schools as well as teacher education programs. The activities in this book are grounded in the recognition that personal experience and engagement is essential for meaningful intercultural learning and social justice awareness to occur. The authors of these activities, themselves teachers and teacher educators representing a wide range of disciplines, share their favorite and most engaging strategies they have found to be effective at helping students acquire a level of comfort and insight in what can oftentimes be contentious, challenging and sensitive issues. These hands-on activities actively engage pre-service and practicing teachers in real-life and simulated experiences, raising awareness and providing a foundation for introspection, reflection and discussion around these critically important issues in the safety of the classroom setting.