The Journal Former editor of The Journal, Dr. Fred Savitz, reminded us all in his message in the Fall/Winter 2003/04 volume that the intent of The Journal and the MSCSS for the past 100 years (it was the 100th anniversary of the MSCSS in 2003/04) has been to contribute to the profession through dissemination of best practices in social studies education. When he wrote these words he mentioned that the categories associated with best practice in that particular volume focused upon social studies education, citizenship education, research, pedagogy and review. As well he reminded the reader that within the mission of the MSCSS is the desire to promote global understanding. Finally, he discussed the "new" challenge of the Federal No child Left Behind legislation and how this made spreading the news about best practice even more important. Therefore, in our next issue we would like to bring Dr. Savitz's ideas forward to 2009. We ask for manuscripts that address best practices, research, and pedagogy that focus on one of the topics below:
*What has changed since 2003 in the social studies classroom, in the research on social studies education or in how we teach? For example what best practices do you use or advocate in the classroom and how do you teach about everyday political/global life? Do you use Twitter, Facebook, wireless classrooms, laptop initiatives or incorporate 21st century skills in unique ways that represent best practice? *How are you or should we be promoting global understanding in our classrooms? What about the new global economic issues that we face today? Do you discuss terrorism or other global challenges in unique ways? *Finally, what about where we stand today on NCLB? Will Obama's ideas on education, the realities in the classroom, elimination of geography and other critical subjects speak directly to educating global citizens in the United States and if so how so? *NCSS has produced their new draft of the Curriculum Standards: Expectations of Excellence and will bring forth the changes from the 1994 version in the next several months. As well, they just published their position statement on media literacy. What opportunity to begin these discussions of best practices and global education might this offer?
GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPTS The Middle States Council for the Social Studies seeks manuscripts for publication in The JOURNAL that focus the following areas.
1. Best practices in teaching social studies at all levels. 2. Research articles that focus on social studies education and pedagogy. 3. Ways in which to promote global understanding within the social studies classroom. 4. Discussion and research on challenges that social studies researchers and teachers face, especially in light of legislation and curricular standards. 5. Reviews of educational media or unique pedagogy that have been used successfully with students in the classroom. 6. The manuscript must be original and not published previously.
We are especially interested in articles that directly relate to social studies teaching, preparation of teachers or unique programs of study developed or implemented by teachers.
MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION FOR REVIEW Length: Manuscripts, including all references, charts, figures or tables should not exceed fifteen pages (ten to fifteen is acceptable). Preparation details: All submissions must be prepared using a word processing program, be double spaced, and must adhere to the guidelines in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition. As well, please provide 1.5 inch margins all around.
Submission: Submissions for the Winter 2009 issue should be emailed with the subject line: The Journal, Winter 2009 to: Dr. Catherine Gatewood, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania at cgatewoo@lhup.edu. In the message area please type an abstract that describes or summarizes the manuscript in 100-150 words. All submissions must have a cover page that includes the following on a separate sheet:
*Title of the manuscript *Date of submission *Author's name, institutional affiliation or school, complete mailing address, business phone number, fax number, and email address.
Decisions: Authors will be notified of the receipt of the manuscript via email and notification of the status of the manuscript will take place after the deadline.
FYI For Your Information FYI is the MSCSS newsletter. Please submit articles, pictures, announcements lesson plans and any other interesting social studies news and/or resources to the FYI editor.