Visible Learning for Social Studies, Grades K-12: Designing Student Learning for Conceptual Understanding

How do social studies teachers maximise instruction to ensure students are prepared for an informed civic life? Visible Learning for Social Studies, Grades K-12 shows how the field is more than simply memorising dates and facts: it encapsulates the skilful ability to conduct investigations, analyse sources, place events in historical context, and synthesise divergent points of view.

The Visible Learning framework demonstrates that learning is not an event, but rather a process in which students move from surface-level learning to deep learning, and then onto the transfer of concepts, skills, and strategies. Encouraging learners to explore different facets of society, history, geography, and more, best practices for applying visible learning to social studies curriculum are presented through:

• A scaffolded approach, including surface-level learning, deep learning, and transfer of learning
• Examples of strategies, lessons, and activities best suited for each level of learning
• Planning tools, rubrics, and templates to guide instruction

Teachers must understand the impact they have on students and select approaches to maximise that impact. This book will guide you through the process of identifying the right strategy for the right time to successfully move students through surface, deep, and transfer learning.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Laying the Groundwork for VISIBLE LEARNING® for Social Studies

• The Evidence Base
• Noticing What Works
• Learning From What Works
• General Learning Practices
• Conclusion

Chapter 2. Surface Learning in Social Studies

• Why Surface Learning Is Essential
• Surface Acquisition and Consolidation
• Acquisition of Social Studies Learning Made Visible
• Consolidation of Social Studies Learning Made Visible
• Conclusion

Chapter 3. Deep Learning in Social Studies

• Moving From Surface to Deep
• Deep Acquisition and Deep Consolidation
• Deep Acquisition of Social Studies Learning Made Visible
• Deep Consolidation of Social Studies Learning Made Visible
• Conclusion

Chapter 4. Teaching for Transfer in Social Studies

• Moving From Deep Learning to Transfer
• Types of Transfer: Near and Far
• The Paths of Transfer: Low-Road Hugging and High-Road Bridging
• Setting the Conditions for Transfer of Learning
• Teaching Students to Organize Conceptual Knowledge
• Teaching Students to Transform Conceptual Knowledge
• Conclusion

Chapter 5. Determining Impact, Responding, and Knowing What Does Not Work

• Determining Impact
• Responding When There Is Insufficient Impact
• Learning From What Doesn’t Work
• Conclusion

References

Index

"As I read this book I became increasingly aware of my own self-talk saying: 'yes, of course, that’s absolutely right, that’s what we must do, now I get it.' The authors reassert a vital humanist approach to what, how and why students learn about their societies, history, culture and the wider world around them. It reminds us that we have a duty to prepare young minds for complex global challenges with a deep, critical and nuanced understanding."
- Neville Kirton, Deputy Head of Secondary (9-11), Colegio Anglo Colombiano

"Visible Learning for Social Studies is an instructional treasure trove for teachers of social studies. The authors offer practical, usable and specific instructional strategies that work best at the surface, deep and transfer phases of learning with examples from kindergarten to grade 12.  In today’s world of mass media, social studies lessons must engage students in learning at deeper levels and help them develop a fluency in critical literacy skills. With that purpose, this book is a must-have, must-use text for all social studies teachers."
- Cathy J. Lassiter

"This book is a wonderful addition to any busy teacher or curriculum writer’s library. Meant for K-12, it is easy to read and implementable at any point in the year. The strategies provided teach students to utilize their background knowledge but dare to think critically in unfamiliar situations."
- Heather Giustiniani

"This is that unicorn of education books; it combines compelling classroom stories with accessible, relevant information about the research undergirding the change ideas. It is rich with resources and tools that teachers can use to make immediate changes in their units, but more than that, it will inspire teachers to pursue their own change ideas and research as they work to create just and equitable classroom communities."
- Angela Wilcox

"Visible Learning for Social Studies is an essential addition to the learning library of all social studies educators who are looking to connect research-based best practices with the different ways we engage our students in learning. Best of all, the research is clearly connected to classroom-ready examples that give K-12 teachers the support they need to implement the ideas from the book in order to best support moving their student learning forward. I would highly recommend this book to social studies educators at all grade levels as it cleanly synthesizes decades of research into usable examples based on the different learning levels (surface, deep, and transfer), with support around understanding the importance of the research and the impact in your own classroom."
- Joe Schmidt