The content-free social studies classroom: James Kendra at TEDxMuskegon

James Kendra has been a teacher since 1987 and has been teaching Social Studies at Kenowa Hills Middle School for the past 19 years. He holds degrees from Muskegon Community College, Michigan State University, and a masters degree from Grand Valley State University. In his talk "The Content-Free Classroom," James explains that social studies is the most important class students take in school - but not when the emphasis is on facts and dates. He believes in creating a classroom where teachers help students make connections between the present and the past to help them plan for their futures. A place where students cultivate their interests and discover their passions.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)