Nine essays serving as springboards to the study of historical events and cultures focus on the use of memorabilia and primary resources for teaching social studies. Following a short preface by John I. Thomas, Linda Carrillo examines ways in which folk songs can be used to arouse a child's interest in the study of other cultures. In "Using Older Citizens as Resources," Phyllis Gutierrez gives ideas for learning about one's ethnic heritage by talking to grandparents and other older adults. Esther Lopez tells how studying about trains can introduce students to language unique with those working for the railroads and to ways in which the railroads affected the course of history. In "Lamps and Light: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow," Ann Horton gives suggestions for using items such as kerosene lamps to build student interest in the past, present, and future. "From an Athenian Vase: Abstract" (Cathy Phillips) introduces a unit on ancient Greece using a handmade replica of an Athenian vase. In the next two essays, "Kimonos" (Elizabeth Padilla) and "Golden Shoes of India" (Naomi Chowdhuri), teachers explain how clothes and costumes of different cultures can lead to several avenues of inquiry. In "The Role of Furniture in History," Sandi Montoya describes how a unit based on furniture can incorporate concepts from several social science disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, economics, and political science. The final essay, "Colorado Gold," traces Colorado's early mining history and gives examples of ways in which such a unit could be used to teach concepts from history, sociology, political science, economics, geology, and geography. (LH)