The Four Question Method is a brilliant book about a hugely important topic. With only 15% of 8th-graders scoring proficient or above in U.S. history, social studies teachers need practical guidance in how to make their subject engaging, accessible, and meaningful—and how to make learning stick. That’s exactly what Jon Bassett and Gary Shiffman provide, in clear and lively prose.
-Natalie Wexler
Author, The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education Systemand How to Fix It (Avery 2019)
Co-author with Judith C. Hochman of The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades (Jossey-Bass 2017)
“Four Question Method where have you been? This is the book I needed as a history teacher, a school principal, and now training teachers in a master's degree program. It should be in the hands of every social studies teacher and any program that trains them. From Story to Judgment provides absolute clarity around the key questions that drive social studies instruction and gives fantastic ideas for how to teach them in a rigorous and engaging way. It brings the "both and" approach that all good teaching requires by balancing learning the narrative and facts with developing deep, historical thinking skills that are essential for our students.”
James Verrilli
Dean, Relay Graduate School of Education
Co-Founder North Star Academy, Uncommon Schools
In every field, there’s one book that tells you How To Really Do It. Marie Kondo's Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. These books pierce a crowded field and become The One. If you’re a social studies teacher, you just found it. The Four Question Method is The One.
-Mike Goldstein, Founder, Match Education
“I just love the 4QM modelfor refined, highly effective history teaching, it's the very best I've seen.”
-Kevin Delaney, Social Studies Department Head, Wayland High School, Wayland MA
This is a most impressive scheme. I love its elegance, efficiency, and communicability.
-Peter Seixas, Professor and Canada Research Chair,University of British Columbia. Director, The Historical Thinking Project, and author, The Big Six Historical Thinking Concepts
Jon and Gary are the biggest champions of social studies instruction out there! Not only do they celebrate the hard work of history teachers, but they make teaching such a complex discipline seem so much less daunting. The Four Question Method has revolutionized the way we think about developing curriculum and teaching students to think critically like historians. Thanks for helping us to create such passionate, erudite “philosopher citizens”!
-Rebecca Lord Gomez, Senior Manager of History, Grades 5 - 8, at Uncommon Schools Network
“I just love the 4QM modelfor refined, highly effective history teaching, it's the very best I've seen.”
-Kevin Delaney, Social Studies Department Head, Wayland High School, Wayland MA