Calling all social studies teachers: recommend books for a new history teacher!

Question

I'm about to start student teaching in a high school history classroom, as well as a few sections of world religions (an anthropology course). I'm looking for some good books to give me creative ideas/angles or just some good inspiration. I'm open-minded--I'm hoping you'll recommend all and any genres of literature as long as it is something that you as social science teachers have found valuable!

Answer 1

Do I have the book for you! Get 'Lies My Teacher Told'. It is a very well written book about the twisting and rewriting of history. Talks about how Columbus was actually a greedy murderer instead of the hero the we light to portray him as. Talks about the genocide of the American Indians and much, much more. Great for high school students that are beginning to read critically.