Hollywood or History?

An Inquiry-Based Strategy for Using Cartoons to Teach Topics in Elementary and Secondary Social Studies

Edited by:
Scott L. Roberts, Central Michigan University
Charles J. Elfer, Clayton State University

A volume in the series: Hollywood or History. Editor(s): Scott L. Roberts, Central Michigan University. Charles J. Elfer, Clayton State University.

Call for Papers

Teaching and learning through Hollywood, or commercial, film productions is anything but a new approach and has been something of a mainstay in the classroom for nearly a century. However, purposeful and effective instruction through film is not problem-free and there are many challenges that accompany classroom applications of Hollywood motion pictures. In response to the problems and possibilities associated with teaching through film, we are developing a collection of practical, classroom-ready lesson ideas that might bridge gaps between theory and practice and assist teachers endeavoring to make effective use of film in their classrooms. We believe that film can serve as a powerful tool in the social studies classroom and, where appropriately utilized, foster critical thinking and civic mindedness. The NCSS College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) framework, represents a renewed and formalized emphasis on the perennial social studies goals of deep thinking, reading and writing. We believe that as teachers endeavor to digest and implement the curricular platform in schools and classrooms across the country, the desire for access to structured strategies that lead to more active and rigorous investigation in the social studies classroom will grow increasingly acute. Our hope is that this addition to the Hollywood or History? book series might play a small role in the larger project of supporting practitioners, specifically K-12 teachers of history (and/or social studies), by offering a collection of classroom-ready tools based on the Hollywood or History? strategy and designed to foster inquiry through the careful use of historical or social studies-themed cartoons.

Topics of interest include:
• Historical Inquiry
• C3 Framework
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Activism

Proposal: We are seeking practitioner-focused proposals that will describe lessons ideas/plans using the Hollywood or History? strategy. Initial proposals should consist of the following: A 1-2-page narrative which provides background on the cartoon to be incorporated and a general description of the lesson idea proposed. Within the narrative, please include a brief explanation of the specific film clip(s) that students will view and provide tentative references for the primary and secondary sources selected for use in the lesson plan. Placement of the lesson idea for either elementary students (Grades PreK-5) or secondary students (Grades 6-12) should be provided.

Chapter submission: Proposals should be submitted via email as a Word document by May 31, 2021. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by August 1, 2021. Positive review/proposal acceptance of a lesson plan does not necessarily indicate acceptance of the lesson plans for the final, published text. Authors whose proposals are accepted will be expected to submit a revised and extended lesson plan by October 30, 2021. Each submission will undergo double-blind peer review. Please include a connection to relevant state and national standards, both literacy/skill and content. Standards from at least three different states should be included as well as the relevant dimensions from the C3 framework.

Tentative Schedule for Publication:

Lesson plan proposals: May 31, 2021

Notification of invite to submit lesson plan: August 1, 2021

Submission of full lesson plan: October 30, 2021

Reviews of book chapter manuscripts sent to author(s): December 31, 2021

Receipt by editors of final draft of book chapters: February 22, 2022

Final book submitted to publisher: April 1, 2022

Anticipated publication: Fall/Winter 2022