Essential Readings

• Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Socratic Questioning
• Teaching About the United States Supreme Court
• Study About Religions in the Social Studies Curriculum

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Socratic Questioning
prepared by the National Education Laboratory

Kristen Borges makes extensive use of Socratic questioning as her students prepare for a simulation on a Supreme Court case involving the First Amendment. This guide, prepared by the National Education Laboratory, discusses the role of Socratic questioning in problem-based learning, drawing substantially on the work of Richard Paul on critical thinking, and then presents a taxonomy of Socratic questions developed by Paul... read more

Teaching About the United States Supreme Court
by Sarah E. Drake and Thomas S. Vontz

The Supreme Court is one of the most important institutions in the United States. Thus, social studies teachers should emphasize the significance of the Court in our nation's history. This ERIC Digest highlights the origin and foundations of the Supreme Court, discusses the changing role of the Supreme Court in the United States, and recommends World Wide Web resources helpful in teaching and learning about the Supreme Court... read more

Sarah E. Drake is a doctoral student in the School of Education and a project assistant at the Social Studies Development Center of Indiana University. Thomas S. Vontz is an assistant professor of education at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.

Study About Religions in the Social Studies Curriculum
prepared by the Religion in the Schools Committee and approved by the NCSS Board of Directors, 1984. Revised by the Curriculum Committee and approved by the NCSS Board of Directors, 1998.

Knowledge about religions is not only a characteristic of an educated person but is absolutely necessary for understanding and living in a world of diversity. Knowledge of religious differences and the role of religion in the contemporary world can help promote understanding and alleviate prejudice. Since the purpose of the social studies is to provide students with a knowledge of the world that has been, the world that is, and the world of the future, studying about religions should be an essential part of the social studies curriculum... read more