As social studies standards shift to place a higher emphasis on critical thinking, inquiry, interaction, and expression, many teachers are scrambling to figure out how to appropriately shift their instruction accordingly. This book provides examples and ideas for working with elementary and middle school students to build social studies skills and knowledge in order to become independent learners and thinkers. Teaching these skills helps to support students in ways which are important to them, and to society at large. Real Classrooms, Real Teachers: The C3 Inquiry in Practice is aimed at in-service and pre-service teachers, grades 3-8. This text includes six sections: an introduction, one section for each of the four dimensions of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards (National Council for the Social Studies, 2013), and a conclusion. Each chapter begins with a vignette based on a real-life social studies lesson authored by a practicing teacher or researcher. This is followed by a sample lesson plan associated with the vignette and suggestions for appropriate texts and supporting materials, as well as suggestions for modifications.

Service-learning research has been growing and expanding around the world. While much of the early work was carried out in the US and Europe, such efforts have been developing in Asia for the past few decades. The use of the term, 'service-learning' was not popular, while use of community engagement, volunteerism, social services are more common among community practitioners and academics, with the rapid development of service-learning, both research and community-based programs have been growing throughout Asia over the last decade. One of the major movements in that part of the world has been the Service-Learning Asia Network (started in 2005), where more than 11 countries have unified to share their efforts collectively through conferences and journals. In this new book we have examples from five (5) different places: China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and India. These models follow a recent publication of Asian research found in the Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, published in Summer 2019 after the 7th Asia Pacific Regional Service-Learning conference in Singapore. The chapters represent some of the exciting work that is developing in Asia, highlighting the rich and powerful connections between universities and communities throughout the region. Excellent examples of various kinds of study, from case studies, to qualitative research, to mixed method designs are included. In addition, the focus of the studies, from student learning, community change, innovative practice, and institutional development and change are provided to illustrate the rich diversity of work occurring throughout Asia.

The United States' social and economic inequities stood in high relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, spotlighting the glaringly disproportionate systemic injustices related to public health and the economic impact on minoritized communities. Realities of structural and institutionalized racism and classism were exposed to greater degrees as we sought to understand and investigate the inequitable impact regarding health and income disparities for African American, Latinx, and Native American communities, as well as racial violence explicitly targeting Asian American communities. Further exacerbating the polarized sociopolitical landscape amidst the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, witnessed by countless people around the world, resulted in anguish and drew heightened attention to the insidious racial injustice and ongoing racial violence that continues to plague the nation. As many advocates took to the streets in an attempt to have their voices heard in the continued struggle for racial equality, the federal government tried to further silence those who have been historically placed on the margins, including the attack of critical race theory, antiracism work in education, and training for diversity and inclusion. Consequently, it is imperative social science educators are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and dispositions to facilitate learning that explores the implications of power, privilege, and oppression and ask important questions to ensure voices that have been muffled, or silenced altogether, are strategically unsilenced, voiced, and valued. Given the perpetuation of inequities, existing educational disparities, and the continued need for reconciliation, this volume explores how the social sciences can be examined and reimagined to combat injustices and support further diversity, equity, and inclusion. Authors explore how educators can (a) understand how knowledge is constructed, shaped, and influences how students see the world, (b) problematize current curricular approaches and reframe instructional practices, (c) employ a critical lens to attend to and proactively address existing challenges and inequities related to race, (d) infuse their teaching with greater attention to diversity and inclusion for all students; and (e) promote increased awareness, advocacy, and educational justice. Through the examination of research, theory, and practitioner-oriented strategies, the authors encourage reflection, inspire calls for action, and explore how to teach about, proactively challenge, and encourage continued examination of society to support progress through increased critical consciousness, cultural competence, and critical multiculturalism.