The Social Studies FIELD Guide

Your roadmap to creating engaging and impactful social studies lessons that prepare students for the adventures and challenges of tomorrow

In today's rapidly changing society, it is essential for students to develop critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning skills. The traditional model of rote memorization of dates and facts in social studies classrooms no longer engages students or adequately prepares them for the complexities of the modern world.

In The Social Studies FIELD Guide, authors Joe Schmidt and Glenn Wiebe illuminate a transformative path for educators to improve social studies education by moving away from memorization and towards meaningful and active learning. This comprehensive guide delves into the heart of inquiry-based learning, integrating the rich tapestry of primary sources and the cutting-edge potential of educational technology. As the educational landscape evolves, this FIELD—Foundational Evidence, Inquiry, EdTech, and Lesson Design—Guide is a beacon for teachers seeking to bring history and civics alive for their students.

By utilizing primary sources and encouraging students to think critically about historical events from multiple perspectives, the FIELD framework fosters a deeper understanding of past events and their relevance to current issues through

• Innovative Framework: Provides a cohesive structure through the FIELD acronym for creating dynamic social studies lessons


• Research-Driven Insights: Offers a synthesis of key research in social studies education, equipping teachers with evidence-based strategies for classroom success


• Practical Application: Presents “Hikes” in each chapter, offering instructional ideas that translate theoretical concepts into actionable classroom practices


• Technology Integration: Guides educators in leveraging educational technology tools to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes


• Focus on Inquiry: Integrates inquiry-based learning where students explore authentic questions and investigate real-world problems

Step into the future of social studies education with The Social Studies FIELD Guide, an indispensable resource that distills decades of teaching expertise into actionable insights, empowering educators to craft meaningful and engaging lessons without the burden of sifting through overwhelming resources. Each chapter is a wellspring of tools, examples, and practical ideas, ensuring that social studies teachers can navigate the wilderness of modern education with confidence and creativity.