Many elementary and middle school students are confronted by media messages constantly. They receive messages not only from family and friends, but from television and social media outlets.1 The media messages about current events are often politically biased, polarized in nature, and potentially inaccurate, especially on social media platforms. Teachers can model how to evaluate media for potential biases, showing students that just because something is political does not mean it should be off limits for discussion. This article draws upon experiences from both a sixth grade social studies…

In the midst of an unprecedented pandemic we are being flooded with contradicting and inaccurate information. How can we teach our students to critically analyze, decode, and wade through these social mediated messages?

Three educational approaches outlined in this article help young people develop the capacity to judge the accuracy and credibility of online information.

When we recognize our own biases and encourage young people to do the same, we help students understand that there is a continuum of options between not trusting anybody and blindly trusting selected experts.

The highlighted teaching activities analyzing the smartphone can springboard into a critical inquiry that considers the collateral, unintended, and disproportionate effects of technology over time.

Inviting students to study the featured newspaper editorial about the Battle of Little Bighorn can launch an engaging lesson on Westward expansion and Native-settler conflict.

Looking at the role associations played in the lives of key figures like Rosa Parks or Theodore Roosevelt can serve as a jumping off point into a valuable class discussion on the role such groups have played in spurring social change.

This collection of essays that critique myths or lies about U.S. history can enhance a range of class-room lesson plans.

By encouraging deliberation, collaboration, and production in the classroom, teachers can build a culture of trust that leads to successful social studies inquiries.

Investigating upcoming Supreme Court cases can ignite important classroom discussions on topics such as disability rights, election law, and the First Amendment.