Developing Civic Competence with Educative Curriculum Materials Featuring a Historical Photograph of Antarctica

Authors

Cory Callahan, University of Alabama - TuscaloosaFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Here the author advocates for an innovative teaching approach synthesizing three research-based, instructional strategies: promoting civic competence within international and global contexts, planning with educative curriculum materials, and exploring historical photographs for higher-order thinking. He traces the crafting of an exemplary lesson through this approach and discusses its underpinning rationale. The lesson helps students and teachers think deeply about land claims and resource disputes in Antarctica while addressing a persistent value conflict throughout history: balancing national sovereignty and international law. A teacher-friendly narrative constitutes the lesson plan; however, it is not teacher-proof, as teachers are encouraged to make instructional decisions based on their individual contexts. The narrative includes educative features provides powerful social studies activities andprofessional development opportunities centered around international and global education, understanding Multiple Intelligences, and using rubrics. First, teachers are encouraged to lead an informal, seemingly impromptu conversation that culminates in the question, “Who, if anyone, should govern Antarctica?” Then, using a well-researched photographic primer, teachers facilitate students’ interpretation of Shackleton’s expedition to the Antarctic..., a historical photograph from The Library of Congress. Next, teachers help students construct preliminary answers to the question using information from the lesson as supportive evidence. Finally, the author shares https://craftingcurriculum.org/, an online hub for similarly developed educative and Monday-morning-ready resources.

Recommended Citation

Callahan, Cory (2025) "Developing Civic Competence with Educative Curriculum Materials Featuring a Historical Photograph of Antarctica," The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies: Vol. 88: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/the_councilor/vol88/iss2/6