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TEXTBOOK ANALYSIS: THE AMERICAN JOURNEY
Textbook Analysis
The American Journey
Michele C. Bennett
Grand Canyon University: EED 465
January 22, 2011
Textbook Analysis: The American Journey
Before using a social studies textbook, a deep analysis of its contents will be required.
How the book covers the topics in comparison to the definition of, social studies bring
forth the relevance of the book in effective planning and instruction. Whether or not the
book conveys separate classroom activities for class participation and a chance to form a
deeper understanding of the lesson is desirable. Furthermore, the book should integrate
other subjects such as writing to incorporate a deeper interest in social studies. The
textbook needs to include methods of assessing the students learning both formally and
accurately in each chapter. A quality social studies textbook requires some photos with
captions, charts or graphic organizers, vocabulary listings, review questions and some
strategies for better reading comprehension of the material in the social studies textbook.
Let us begin by looking at the definition of social studies.
Social studies defined by Merriam-Webster as: a part of a school or college curriculum
concerned with the study of social relationships and the functioning of a society and
usually made up of courses in history, government, economics, civics, sociology,
geography, and anthropology (Merriam-Webster, 2011). According to the above definition
of social studies, The American Journey by Joyce Appleby, Ph.D., Alan Brinkley, and
James M. McPherson, Ph.D. covers all seven content areas in the social studies definition.
These subjects listed as themes to teach students how to study history in the social studies
textbook. The themes in the book are Culture and Traditions, Continuity and Change,
Geography and History, Individual Action, Groups and Institutions, Government and
Democracy, Science and Technology, Economic factors, Global Connections, and Civil
Rights and Responsibilities (Appleby, Brinkley, McPherson, 2005, p. xxiv).
In a social studies classroom, simply reading a textbook and answering some questions at
the end of the chapters lacks the effort to reach effective instructional goals for the lessons
in the curriculum. In effective planning and instruction, activities are required for
developing a deeper understanding of the social studies lesson. Each chapter begins with
activities such as History online, which provides chapter overviews that teachers can
assign to students before looking at the next chapter. The chapter incorporates such
activities as geography skills where they provide an illustration and present students with
some questions. At the end of each heading and subheading of paragraphs, a reading check
