Textbook Analysis Essay

EED 465 – Curriculum, Methods and Assessment: Social Studies

Professor Stacy Figueroa

Textbook Analysis Essay

Tamika Camano

Social Studies

“Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic

competence. Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic

study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography,

history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as

appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics, and natural sciences. The primary

purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and

reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society

in an interdependent world. (National Council for the Social Studies)”

This essay will concentrate on the social studies textbook, History Alive! The United States through Modern Times, analyzing its contents in the following areas: topics covered, activities, integration of other subjects, assessments, and reading and comprehension strategies.

History Alive! The United States through Modern Times is a history book for students in grades six through eight. The textbook has a lot of added features such as a lot of pictures, maps and diagrams to help student understand the information. The sections are labeled for easy comprehension. There are chapter objectives, outlines, preview questions and review questions to help students focus on key points. This assures the reader to have an experience which goes beyond reading the chapters and answering the questions. There is an interactive website and CD-ROMS also accompany the book. Each lesson has an appealing presentation loaded with great content which includes interactive whiteboard technology. The teacher is also able to send messages to the class and share files.

The topics covered in the textbook correspond to state standards...