Social Studies Field Guide
Social Studies Field Guide
  • Home
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • PD Support
  • About Us
  • sessions

Using foundational evidence, inquiry-based instruction, & edtech tools

Unlock the potential of your students with FIELD Guide Hikes!

Unlock the potential of your students with FIELD Guide Hikes!Unlock the potential of your students with FIELD Guide Hikes!Unlock the potential of your students with FIELD Guide Hikes!
Looking for the book's resources?
Join the FIELD Guide Community (And get the discount!)

Using foundational evidence, inquiry-based instruction, & edtech tools

Unlock the potential of your students with FIELD Guide Hikes!

Unlock the potential of your students with FIELD Guide Hikes!Unlock the potential of your students with FIELD Guide Hikes!Unlock the potential of your students with FIELD Guide Hikes!
Looking for the book's resources?
Join the FIELD Guide Community (And get the discount!)

how should we do social studies?

If you're like us, you probably sat through years of terrible social studies instruction. We want your classroom to be different! Join us on our journey to find and integrate the best tools, strategies, and resources for creating engaged, knowledgable, and informed citizens.

Learn more about us!

Grab your copy

We've got the Hikes!

The Social Studies FIELD Guide is your roadmap 

to creating engaging and impactful lessons that equip students with the critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning skills they need to be successful.


The FIELD Guide framework - Foundational Evidence, Inquiry, EdTech, and Lesson Design - is a beacon for teachers seeking to bring social studies alive for their students. 


Use the FIELD Guide Hikes, leveled activities focused on using evidence, thinking critically, and solving problems,

 to dig into the heart of inquiry-based learning, integrating the rich tapestry of primary sources and the cutting-edge potential of educational technology. 

Order now

Why do you need your own copy?

Dr. Joel Breakstone

Dr. Joel Breakstone

Dr. Joel Breakstone

Executive Director

Digital Inquiry Group

"Glenn and Joe's passion for social studies education is hard to match. I first encountered Glenn through his thoughtful, prolific, and laugh-out-loud funny blog about social studies education. I've always been struck by his commitment to supporting educators and improving outcomes for students. Joe is similarly committed and deeply connected to the social studies community. They both also have a wealth of experience from working in classrooms, schools, and organizations across the country."

Dr. Jeffery Nokes

Dr. Joel Breakstone

Dr. Joel Breakstone

Author & Researcher

Building Students' Historical Literacies: Learning to Read and Reason with Historical Texts and Evidence

"Have you, fellow teacher, ever had a chat with a smart colleague that left you energized about instruction and with some great teaching ideas? The Social Studies FIELD Guide feels like that conversation on steroids. My two new colleagues, Joe and Glenn, have engaged me in an inspiring dialogue about teaching. I closed the book committed to becoming a better social studies teacher and armed with ideas to make that happen."

Virnilisa Printup

Dr. Joel Breakstone

Virnilisa Printup

K-12 Social Studies Coordinator

Rockdale School District

"The Social Studies FIELD Guide is an invaluable resource that provides a well-rounded approach to the teaching and learning of social studies. In the book, Joe and Glenn draw from their extensive teaching experiences and share practical insights and lessons learned over the years. This text is a gem because it offers scaffolded examples for each recommended activity, catering to the diverse needs of classroom teachers of various experiences."

Jennifer Jolley

Jennifer Jolley

Virnilisa Printup

Social Studies Content Specialist

Brevard School District

"Joe  and Glenn′s must-read book is essential for every social studies teacher. It offers a step-by-step approach grounded in research-based educational programs, primary sources, inquiry, and EdTech, all aligned with standards. The Social Studies FIELD Guide meets teachers at their current level, provides reflective opportunities in each chapter, and paves a clear path for professional growth."

Jessica Ellison

Jennifer Jolley

Jessica Ellison

Executive Director

National Council for History Education

"Joe and Glenn have created an educators′ guide that is a bit of a unicorn: grounded in research and expertise, yet decidedly not boring. The Social Studies FIELD Guide elevates student voice and experience, challenges teachers to take risks, and leans on creativity, humor, and brilliant anecdotes to demonstrate the power of deliberately engaging social studies."

kelly Bellar

Jennifer Jolley

Jessica Ellison

Social Studies Consultant

Texas ESC Region 10 

"Joe and Glenn have developed an invaluable tool that should be required reading for all teachers. Combining their experience as teachers, leaders, and consultants, they've created a resource that guides both new and veteran teachers along a series of practical and ready to use Easy, Moderate, and Difficult 'Hikes' that show what quality social studies education can and should look like."

Dig into the book!

Chapter One: Load Your Pack

Chapter Two: F is for Foundational Evidence. Start With the Good Stuff



We both love research. So we understand the importance of having a strong base of data that supports best practice. Chapter One is all about setting the stage for why the FIELD Guide works and getting ready for the Hikes.

Chapter One

Chapter Two: F is for Foundational Evidence. Start With the Good Stuff

Chapter Two: F is for Foundational Evidence. Start With the Good Stuff

 

A FIELD Guide classroom requires primary sources, first-person accounts, and supporting evidence. Chapter Two highlights what it can look like when you integrate these types of resources into your learning designs.

Chapter Two

Chapter Three: I is For Inquiry. Ask the Right Questions. Get Better Answers

Chapter Three: I is For Inquiry. Ask the Right Questions. Get Better Answers

 

Inquiry brings the FIELD Guide to life! If you want engaged learners, then you need to develop compelling questions and design activities that help your students use evidence to answer those questions.

Chapter Three

Chapter Four: E is for EdTech. It’s All of the Things

Chapter Five: LD is for Learning Design. It’s More Than Three Sticks of Wood

Chapter Three: I is For Inquiry. Ask the Right Questions. Get Better Answers

EdTech tools support high levels of learning and your life as a teacher gets just a little bit easier. We are firm believers in using EdTech to impact learning. Unpack some of our favorite tools and strategies!

chapter four

Chapter Five: LD is for Learning Design. It’s More Than Three Sticks of Wood

Chapter Five: LD is for Learning Design. It’s More Than Three Sticks of Wood

Chapter Five: LD is for Learning Design. It’s More Than Three Sticks of Wood

We get it. This can seem overwhelming. What is the best way to organize all of this? Chapter Five provides some structures and suggestions for arranging the learning in ways that are best for your students without making you crazy. 

chapter five

Chapter Six: Beyond the FIELD Guide. Enjoy the Experience

Chapter Five: LD is for Learning Design. It’s More Than Three Sticks of Wood

Chapter Five: LD is for Learning Design. It’s More Than Three Sticks of Wood

Whether it's a quick out-and-back day hike or a week-long, full blown camping adventure, every trip comes to an end. So what's next? Chapter Six shares a series of classroom Force Multipliers to get you ready for your next experience.

chapter six

Join the FIELD Guide Community!

Get 25% off your book purchase when you sign up for our newsletter! Stay connected with the latest Hike updates, our favorite resources, and current social studies research.

grab presentation resources

Looking for tools, strategies, and ideas shared during our workshops and conference presentations?

Head over for full access

©2025 Social Studies Field Guide

  • Home
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • PD Support
  • About Us

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept