Social Studies Research and Practice
Volume 2, Number 1, Spring 2007
Promoting Democratic Ideals and Social Action: Children’s Literature on the Civil Rights Movement and School Integration
Kay A. Chick
Penn State Altoona
This article highlights the role of social studies educators in promoting democratic ideals and social action. The benefits of incorporating children’s and young adult literature into the social studies curriculum in the elementary and middle school grades are discussed. Biography, historical fiction, poetry, and information books are presented to teach students about the civil rights movement and school integration. Literature extension activities are designed to encourage students to examine issues of equality, social justice, and human dignity, while also considering their own prejudices and perspectives on social action.
About the Author(s)…
Dr. Chick is an Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Penn State Altoona, PA. She holds undergraduate degrees in elementary education and special education, and her master’s degree is in educational psychology with certification in school psychology. She earned a doctorate in elementary education in 1996. Research interests include gender issues in education, women’s history, social studies, and children’s literature. Contact information is firstname.lastname@example.org