CHAPTER 4: The Reflective Classroom Envisioned in “Inquiry in Social Studies” by Massialas and Cox

A word or two of personal reflection is in order. Since I am a living representative and participant in the approach and book being revisited, this chapter represents an interesting approach to the historical roots of social studies. My views are deeply shaped by my participation in the writing, publication, and application of Inquiry in Social Studies since I not only used the book in my graduate class, but also contributed to the examples of classroom lessons on exhibit, and went on to write a hands-on guide to inquiry teaching with my mentor, Byron Massialas, while serving as a secondary school teacher. Byron Massialas was my methods professor at the University of Chicago and later my Ph.D. advisor at the University of Michigan.