Argues that understanding, in history or other domains, entails being able to use mental representations in order to engage in culturally meaningful performances such as creating products, solving problems, or building explanations. Examines challenges and possibilities for a performance-based view of understanding through the analysis of examples…

Argues that the idea of school history as learning the best version of the past, or even learning one or more versions, is inadequate practice. Contends that history education not only must teach about passages of the past, but also develop students' understanding of the nature and status of historical claims. (DSK)

Argues that feminist history enriches the understanding of Canadian history by focusing on groups of women beyond the white, middle class, including those from First Nations communities. Reviews the life and works of E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913), a Mohawk, English poet, and performer. Notes sources on women's history. (DSK)

Argues that social studies in Saudi Arabia has gone through three periods since the 1920s. Reviews the first two periods as an introduction to contemporary developments. Notes the goals of social studies in Saudi Arabia. Reviews the results of a series of studies on the social studies curriculum and instruction. (DSK)

Presents an annotated bibliography of educational resources from the ERIC database related to history for Canadian educators. The materials include digests, monographs, journal articles, and academic papers. The citations include all relevant bibliographic information and a short abstract, as well as information on locating and ordering the…

Reviews the Global Telecommunications Helping Inquiry, Negotiation and Knowledge (T.H.I.N.K.) simulation project developed by Lloyd Christopherson. Interviews Christopherson about the development, goals, and use of Global T.H.I.N.K. Provides a World Wide Web address for finding the project and teachers' guidebooks for running the simulation. (DSK)

Criticizes some of the basic principles expounded in John Locke's "Second Treatise on Government." Argues that Locke's ideas on private property, capital investment, and social good are inherently contradictory. Asserts that the market theory of property inevitably leads to endemic economic exploitation and oppression. (MJP)

Recommends using "Readers' Theater" as an interdisciplinary approach to social studies. Maintains that the format lends itself to the examination of social issues and current events while it provides opportunities for a variety of learning styles. Briefly discusses Jan Truss' book, "A Very Small Rebellion." (MJP)

Provides an update on the continuing debate over separatism for the Canadian province of Quebec. Briefly profiles "La Patente," a group that eventually became the organizational core of the separatist movement. Maintains that the separatist movement is a well-organized minority that doesn't reflect the majority opinion in Quebec. (MJP)

Discusses the shift in thinking among the current generation of young Canadian Indians. Political attitudes have moved from an accommodating stance (Kiyam) to a more committed and confrontational position (Semac). Briefly addresses why some Indians prefer to stay on reservations. (MJP)

Examines the dichotomy between Canada's excellent record of social programs, educational attainment, and income and Canadians' continued negative perceptions of their country. Explores issues that particularly vex the Canadians including decentralization and the separatist movement in Quebec. Concludes that Canada's penchant for self-criticism…

Reviews the implementation and early successes and failures of multicultural education in Canada. Although multicultural education was officially adopted as an educational policy in 1971, it has been reworked and revamped as problems and challenges have arisen. Discusses those incidents that necessitated structural changes in the policy. (MJP)

Provides a summary of postmodernist thinking and attempts to find a place for social studies in a system that abjures all accepted notions of authority and objectivity. Concludes that postmodernism's view of a world ruled by a multiple discourses is not inimical to social studies' emphasis on critical analysis. (MJP)

Challenges citizenship educators to be more cognizant of the social and communitarian aspects of democratic citizenship. Explores engagement with children's literature and development of a classroom creed as two ways to actively engage children in citizenship roles. Includes an interview with a participating teacher. (MJP)

Asks the question: To what can teachers realistically expect students to be committed in the field of citizenship education when governments are consistently cutting back on their own involvement in public life? Concludes that principles of community and social justice remain valid and relevant to young people. (MJP)