The Direct Instruction (DI) methodology is well known for its application to reading, language and mathematics. The DI methodology has also been applied successfully to several other topics, including history. The two-volume book, Understanding U.S. History, is the result of the application of the DI methodology to teaching (North) American history.
Features of Understanding U.S. History
The Understanding U.S. History text provides the following:
- a systematic introduction of social science concepts and vocabulary;
- strong content on United States history and related background information;
- a problem-solution framework for examining historical events and other phenomena;
- provisions for eliciting a high rate of student responses, which accelerates student learning;
- and provisions for students to view historical events from various perspectives.
Students come to understand the perspectives of a wide range of historical actors, which gives them the ability to look at historical events from different points of view. Looking at phenomena from different viewpoints is a fundamental skill for analyzing current events as well as historical ones.
Research Articles
There are two research articles on the structure and effectiveness of Understanding U.S. History:
Crawford, D. B. & Carnine, D. (2000). Comparing the effects of textbooks in eighth-grade U.S. history: Does conceptual organization help? Education and Treatment of Children, 23 (4), 387-422.
Carnine, D., Caros, J., Crawford, D. B., Harniss M. K., & Hollenbeck, K. L. (1997). Five intervention studies evaluating Understanding U.S. History. Effective School Practices, 16 (1-2), 36-54.
Prerequisites for using Understanding U.S. History at the elementary level
Understanding U.S. History can be used with advanced elementary students, middle grade students and with high school students remedially.
Before elementary-aged students can access the book successfully, it is important that they master critical decoding and reading comprehension skills. For students to perform well, they should be able to read and comprehend 5th grade texts fluently. This requires developing a substantial vocabulary, which can be attained through the use of the Reading Mastery Signature Edition (RMSE) reading and language tracks starting at the earliest grades. Understanding U.S. History should not be used with students until they complete the Grade 5 level of RMSE successfully.
RMSE also teaches many critical science and social studies skills. There is also a pre-program for Understanding U.S. History available through the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) that teaches students the problem-solution graphic that is used as the centerpiece of the book.
Another source that can be used at the elementary school level to prepare students for Understanding U.S. History is Academic Core. This multi-module teaching resource has a separate module on United States geography.
Prerequisites for using Understanding U.S. History at the middle or high school levels
As with elementary-aged students, students in the middle- or high-school grades need to master critical decoding and reading comprehension skills before they start Understanding U.S. History. For students at these ages who have not acquired these critical reading skills, the recommended program is Corrective Reading, which contains a decoding track and a separate comprehension track.
REWARDS Plus for Social Studies
A resource for students at this age is REWARDS Plus for Social Studies, which provides strategies for students to decode words that typically appear in high school social studies texts. REWARDS Plus can be used separately from or in conjunction with Understanding U.S. History.
Where to purchase
Understanding U.S. History is available from the University of Oregon Bookstore. Visit our website to learn more about the program or to get purchasing information.
About DIHistory.org
DIHistory.org is part of a series of supplemental websites designed to provide users with succinct information on critical aspects of Direct Instruction. It is produced by the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI), a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting schools and districts in their efforts to maximize student achievement. For queries regarding this website, email info@nifdi.org.
Other websites in the supplemental series include:
