Social Studies Textbook Analysis   We analyzed two different social studies textbooks that were on the 2nd grade level. The titles of the books were People Together: Adventures in Time and Place by Banks, James et al. and People and Places by Bean, Rick et al. We found it amazing how different these books were considering the fact that they were both written for 2nd grade and covered the same topic area of neighborhoods.
   As for the overall structure of the books, they were both quite similar. They both included a very thorough table of contents and glossary. We felt that the book People Together had the best glossary because it included pictures and such to illustrate what each vocabulary word meant. Visual representations are sometimes more valuable and beneficial than words. Both books were excellent in providing supplemental materials for the teacher’s use including literature books suggestions, map, worksheets, posters, and overhead transparencies, to make learning more visible and fun. These materials were colorful and creative which results in the capturing of a child’s attention.
   When it came to the overall content we felt that the People and Places book had a more complex scope and sequence. It presented the content topically and was appropriately connected to the material covered in the text. We found that both books followed the NC Standard Course of Study for the 2nd grade. Neighborhood is a broad subject heading, but both books broke it down in to distinct topics, not only about neighborhoods in the US, but also in other countries. The People and Places books included ways to teach the material to ESL students. This is important because the number of minority students in primary schools is rising. A positive aspect of the People Together book was the integration of social studies with other subjects. There were connection sections to literature, are science, technology, and math. It also offered a section entitled “Meeting Individual Needs.” This section included ways of presenting the social studies material to both the students that are challenged, and to those who have learning disabilities.
   Clear titles were assigned to each chapter with all the information divided into distinct subtopics and themes. People and Places had more thorough introductory statements leading into each chapter. Having the teacher read a literature book that would get the children’s mind open and flowing about the upcoming topic opened each chapter. We found that sufficient background was provided so that students could link new knowledge to information previously learned. As 2nd graders, we were informed about our neighborhoods so we feel that both of these books were on an excellent and very understanding level for 2nd graders. Each book provided questions to think about and study sheets for the children to do as an assessment for the material covered under each subtopic.
   The sentence usage was quite easy in both of these books. The sentence structure was short and simple. Both books could be easily read by students on a lower instructional reading level. The sentences were neither choppy nor did they use explicit signals throughout the paragraphs. There are visual clues from pictures to aid sentence wording and structure. The vocabulary was not as technical as we had first thought it to be. The vocabulary related to the subject matter and there were contextual clues with in the paragraph as to the word’s meaning. We feel that visual aids are a must in the classroom because some students intake more material through visual aids than they do reading.
   Looking at both of these texts, we found that People Together was more user friendly to the classroom teacher. It provided us with a scope and sequence section that would aid in the lesson planning. We felt that both books were thorough and concise in providing materials, but if made to choose, we would select People Together. The supplemental materials are of good quality and quantity and this book assesses more ways to use outside material in connection with the book inside the classroom. We were pleased with its multicultural approach and students could gain more knowledge about neighborhood through this book.