Discusses the lack of research on the history of practice in teaching. Introduces the special issue on wise practice in challenging classrooms. Explains that challenging is viewed as dealing with dilemmas in the social studies classroom, such as teaching students with minimal English skills or at risk or low level learners. (CMK)

Discusses strategies used by two teachers for teaching geography to at-risk students to connect the subject matter to the student's lives. Includes techniques such as integrating music, art, language, employing simulations when teaching, using current events to improve students' reading skills, and utilizing computer technology. (CMK)

Provides an example of how two teachers in the Baltimore (Maryland) City Schools utilized the Internet to help students make a connection with their community. Describes a unit that focuses on the use of Tupac Shakur's rap "California Dream" in order to motivate the students to take pride in their community. (CMK)

Describes the teaching styles and approaches of two different social studies teachers working in urban schools in Alabama. Aims at providing examples of wise teaching practice in social studies by examining what these teachers see as essential to becoming effective teachers in a challenging context. (CMK)

Believes that elementary social studies teachers should use local museums as resources for educating their students. Contends that preservice teachers should receive some type of experience in a museum setting. Describes the experience of preservice teachers at Baylor University's (Texas) field-based practicum at a children's museum. (CMK)

Discusses the classroom practice of Geri Collins who is a veteran eighth grade social studies teacher. Explains how, through her teaching, she attempts to break down the wall her students have around them. Highlights the four characteristics that make her teaching an example of wise practice. (CMK)

Describes the use of a unit on immigration implemented at two high schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to help students from different backgrounds relate to one another. Explains the authentic assessment task in which students charted data about the immigration of their families and analyzed the data for trends. (CMK)

Asserts that Vice President Al Gore will be elected in 2000 based on the performance of the Clinton administration. Utilizes the key to the White House, 13 true-or-false diagnostic questions stated as propositions. If five or less are false then the party in power wins. (CMK)

States that three new developments related to the Internet can assist teachers in encouraging students to participate in democracy throughout their lives: (1) online voting and advocacy; (2) online political information; and (3) online civic activism. Provides two activities that use resources from Speakout.com. (CMK)

Discusses various cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court during the 1999-2000 term concerning criminal law, the First Amendment, grandparent visitation, and other close cases. Includes a section featuring teaching activities and discussion questions by Michelle Parrini and Jennifer Kittlaus. (CMK)

Explores the controversial issue of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) discussing the Act and the scope of the extinction problem. Reviews the arguments for and against the ESA, addresses the tactics that have been used in the political struggle over the ESA, and highlights the future of the ESA. Includes teaching activities. (CMK)

Discusses the use of bioethics and bioethical dilemmas in different subject areas at the high school level by focusing on the case of Baby K. Includes the story of Baby K, classroom activities for U.S. history, 10th and 11th grade ethics, and anatomy and physiology. (CMK)

Explores the issue of privacy focusing on informational privacy and how it could be jeopardized by new technologies. Provides contexts of privacy and discusses privacy and celebrity in U.S. culture, privacy abuses, and privacy as a common value. Includes teaching activities by Michelle Parrini and Jennifer Kittlaus. (CMK)

Provides a brief quiz to test one's understanding of academic freedom. Reviews several court cases on teachers and academic freedom, highlighting the actions of the school, and outcomes of the cases. Includes suggestions for teachers for examining controversial issues in the classroom while accounting for the needs of all involved. (CMK)

Discusses the issue of schoolhouse commercialism including historical background. Addresses the growth of commercialism in schools and explores two types of schoolhouse commercialism: (1) soft drink contracts, and (2) sponsored educational materials. Explains why schools are attractive to advertisers and reports on the opposition to schoolhouse…