Submission Types

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State accepts five (5) different types of submission: Review of Research for Educators; Resource Review; Classroom-Based Activities; Youth Voices: and Empirical Research. Learn more about each type of submission including specific guidelines and review criteria below.

Research Review for Educators

Research Reviews for Educators are practitioner-written syntheses that summarize current scholarship on a topic and, most importantly, connect it to the realities of the social studies classroom. Practitioner-focused reviews summarize and synthesize current research on a topic while highlighting what it means for curriculum, instruction, and student learning. See the guidelines below to get started.

• Research Review for Educators – Guidelines
• Research Review for Educators – Template

Resource Review

With so many new resources in social studies education, knowing what's worth your time is invaluable. Our Resource Review section helps educators make informed choices by featuring thoughtful, honest assessments written by practitioners like you. Access submission guidelines and review criteria below.

• Resource Review – Guidelines
• Resource Review – Template

Classroom-Based Activities

You do remarkable work every day, and your colleagues want to learn from it. We invite social studies educators at every grade level and career stage to submit lesson ideas, classroom activities, and teaching strategies that engage students and bring content to life. Take a look at the guidelines below and share what's working for you.

• Classroom-Based Activities – Guidelines
• Classroom-Based Activities – Template

Youth Voices

We believe students are not just learning about civic life — they are already living it. Youth Voices is our celebration of that belief. This section is dedicated entirely to the ideas, perspectives, and creative work of K–12 students engaged in meaningful social studies learning. Submitting student work is a powerful way to honor their efforts and inspire other classrooms. Take a look at the guidelines below — and let your students know their voices matter here.

• Youth Voices – Guidelines

Empirical Research

Social studies education is strengthened when practitioners and researchers share what they discover. Our Research Articles section is your opportunity to contribute original, evidence-based work to a community of dedicated educators across the state.

• Empirical Research – Guidelines
• Empirical Research – Template

Format & Style Guidelines

Use APA format as found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th Edition, for headings, citations, references.

• About APA Style/format
• APA Citation Style
• APA Style Workshop

All submission types must be clearly written in regards to conventions (i.e., spelling, grammar, punctuation) and in regards to type of submission (i.e., neither too long - e.g., repetitious nor too short - e.g., lacking appropriate details).

Before you begin, please be sure you have the following items:

• Submission Title
• An abstract (separate from the article body - 100 to 150 words)
• Brief biographical sketches for each author (no more than 100 words each)
• Keywords for your article (4-6)
• Type of Submission

Indenting, Line Spacing, and Justification

Indent all paragraphs except those following a section heading. An indent should be at least 2 em-spaces. Do not insert extra space between paragraphs of text with the exception of long quotations, theorems, propositions, special remarks, etc. These should be set off from the surrounding text by additional space above and below.

Don't "widow" or "orphan" text (i.e., ending a page with the first line of a paragraph or beginning a page with the last line of a paragraph).

All text should be left-justified (i.e., flush with the left margin-except where indented).

Language & Grammar

All submissions must be in English with the exception of submissions to Youth Voices. Bilingual and multilingual work is welcome. Other exceptions: common non-English words and phrases; Overall, the use of non-English words and phrases should be avoided.

Authors should use formal English grammar — with the exception of submissions to Youth Voices. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White (now in its fourth edition) is the "standard' guide, but other excellent guides exist as well.

Text Color

Set the font color to black for the majority of the text. We encourage authors to take advantage of the ability to use color in the production of figures, maps, etc. However, you need to appreciate that this will cause some of your readers problems when they print the document on a black & white printer. For this reason, you are advised to avoid the use of colors in situations where their translation to black and white would render the material illegible or incomprehensible.

Please ensure that there are no colored mark-ups or comments in the final version, unless they are meant to be part of the final text. (You may need to "accept all changes' in track changes or set your document to "normal" in final markup).

Emphasized Text

Whenever possible, use italics to indicate text you wish to emphasize rather than underlining it. The use of color to emphasize text is discouraged.

Titles

Whenever possible, titles of books, movies, etc. should be set in italics rather than underlined.

Tables & Figures

To the extent possible, tables and figures should appear in the document near where they are referenced in the text. Large tables or figures should be put on pages by themselves. Avoid the use of overly small type in tables. In no case should tables or figures be in a separate document or file. All tables and figures must fit within 1.5-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right) in both portrait and landscape view.