The History Matters Podcast

Knowledge Matters

Curious. Confident. Knowledgeable about the world. A content-rich approach to teaching history supports all this and more—even in our youngest students. Yet history has all but disappeared from American elementary schools. On the the History Matters Podcast, we explore the vast untapped potential of high-quality history instruction to build knowledge, accelerate literacy, and prepare students to participate in civic life. In inspiring conversations with curriculum experts, teachers, and instructional leaders doing this work in classrooms today, this podcast explores how history can animate the minds of young people and transform literacy, all at the same time.

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  1. Episode 1

    The Science of Learning History | History Matters Podcast

    Season 2 of the History Matters Podcast begins with a fascinating conversation between a cognitive scientist and middle-school teacher about the powerful connection between social studies, literacy, and learning. Today’s guest is Dr. Cynthia Nebel, the Director of Learning Services and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at St. Louis University School of Medicine. She’s also an active collaborator with The Learning Scientists, which is dedicated to bridging research and practice to improve educational and organizational outcomes. The episode is hosted by Kyair Butts, an award-winning Baltimore middle-school teacher, former Goyen Fellow, curriculum coach, and contributor to Knowledge Matters. Cindy explains that background knowledge is one of the strongest predictors of reading comprehension. She highlights classic studies on baseball and chess, showing that readers with relevant knowledge process information more efficiently because they can organize and connect new ideas rather than treating them as isolated facts. She argues that reading comprehension is not simply a matter of decoding or general reading ability; it also depends on having the context necessary to make sense of what is being read. History, geography, civics, and other content-rich subjects provide the knowledge and vocabulary students need to understand increasingly complex texts. Kyair reflects on how familiarity with historical events enriches experiences with books, films, and cultural references, illustrating how background knowledge deepens engagement. The discussion also explores the reciprocal relationship between literacy and content learning. Reading strengthens students’ understanding of academic subjects, while subject-area instruction makes reading more meaningful and accessible. This connection is often overlooked because literacy researchers and social studies educators tend to work in separate fields, despite their shared goals. Educators have an ethical responsibility to intentionally build students’ background knowledge. By providing all students with rich content and historical context, schools enable them to think critically, participate fully in civic life, and engage confidently with complex texts and ideas. This podcast is produced by Knowledge Matters on behalf of the History Matters Campaign. Follow Knowledge Matters on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X. Search #historymatters to join the conversation. Production by Tressa Versteeg. Original music and sound engineering by Aidan Shea. Resources: The Learning ScientistsChase, W. G., & Simon, H. A. (1973). Perception in chess. Cognitive psychology, 4(1), 55-81.

  2. Episode 2

    Helping Students Read the World | History Matters Podcast

    Social studies is an essential component of literacy, because it allows students to build the knowledge and vocabulary they’ll need to comprehend increasingly complex texts. In this episode, host Kyair Butts is joined by guest Melissa Loftus, a former teacher, curriculum developer, and co-host of the Melissa & Lori Love Literacy podcast. She explains why phonics alone is essential but not enough, and that even very young children can “read to learn” through content-rich children’s books and read-alouds of more complex texts.  “What they know about the world is going to help them comprehend what they read,” Melissa says. “Social studies is learning about the world. It's the exact knowledge, vocabulary that complex texts are going to assume that they know.” Reading comprehension depends not only on decoding words but also on knowing enough about the world to make sense of what authors assume readers already understand. Effective literacy instruction balances foundational reading skills with opportunities to build knowledge through rich content. Social studies content is especially potent, because it builds vocabulary, knowledge, and familiarity with important information and ideas, and also nurtures students' natural curiosity about the world. Research shows that spending more time on social studies accelerates literacy more than extra time in English language arts.  Melissa compares the role of content knowledge in reading with being in a familiar environment. Walking through your hometown, you can notice details, ask questions, and pick up on nuances. In a completely unfamiliar place, your brain is working hard just to get from point A to point B. She and Kyair discuss how history, geography, and civics also build confidence, encourage participation, and help create more equitable learning opportunities by giving all students access to shared knowledge. They conclude that history should not be sacrificed due to scheduling pressures, but instead integrated throughout the school day, helping students become stronger readers, informed citizens, and lifelong learners. This podcast is produced by Knowledge Matters on behalf of the History Matters Campaign. Follow Knowledge Matters on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X. Search #historymatters to join the conversation. Production by Tressa Versteeg. Original music and sound engineering by Aidan Shea. Resources: Adam Tyner and Sarah Kabourek. Social Studies Instruction and Reading Comprehension: Evidence from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. Washington D.C.: Thomas B. Fordham Institute (September 2020).Loftus, Melissa, and Lori Sappington. The Literacy 50–A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night. Scholastic Teaching Solutions, 2024.Melissa & Lori Love Literacy Podcast

  3. Season 2 Trailer

    Introducing the History Matters Podcast Season 2: Connecting History to the Classroom | History Matters Podcast

    What kinds of history instruction build content knowledge and civic awareness? Why is social studies content such a power player when it comes to literacy? How can schools make time for these critical learning opportunities?  In Season 2 of the History Matters Podcast, hosts Kyair Butts, Barbara Davidson, and Ebony McKiver explore these questions in dynamic conversations with educators, experts, and leaders working to bring rich history lessons into the classroom.  In six fast-paced episodes, “Connecting History to the Classroom” examines why strong history instruction is uniquely well-suited to support literacy and civic engagement and how schools and systems are implementing content-rich history right now. Join Kyair, Barbara, and Ebony as they bring listeners inside the classroom and the brain, with insights from literacy experts, cognitive scientists, education leaders, and curriculum writers. This podcast is produced by Knowledge Matters on behalf of the History Matters Campaign. Follow Knowledge Matters on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X. Search #historymatters to join the conversation. Production by Tressa Versteeg. Original music and sound engineering by Aidan Shea.

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About

Curious. Confident. Knowledgeable about the world. A content-rich approach to teaching history supports all this and more—even in our youngest students. Yet history has all but disappeared from American elementary schools. On the the History Matters Podcast, we explore the vast untapped potential of high-quality history instruction to build knowledge, accelerate literacy, and prepare students to participate in civic life. In inspiring conversations with curriculum experts, teachers, and instructional leaders doing this work in classrooms today, this podcast explores how history can animate the minds of young people and transform literacy, all at the same time.

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