Methods for using fiction and nonfiction to teach mapping and geographical skills are discussed. Three activities for use at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are presented. Additional books that can be used are described. (RM)

Discusses ways in which K-12 social studies teachers can teach students to discover three functions that maps can serve: presenting information, recording data, and functioning as a basis for quantitative analysis. (RM)

Geography can contribute to an informed world view and thus to a favorable international climate for the peaceful settlement of disputes and for productive measures to ameliorate many world problems. What the focus of geography instruction in the development of international understanding should be is discussed. (RM)

A survey found that secondary U.S. history textbooks provided the most coverage of propaganda and included the largest number of examples for student analysis. Very little coverage of propaganda was found in world geography and world history texts. A few government texts provided excellent coverage, but most gave the subject little attention. (RM)

For social studies teachers who want to create their own software, authoring systems and authoring languages offer an interesting avenue to be explored. An authoring system available from Courseware, Inc., (California) and the authoring language PILOT available from Apple Computer (California) are described. (RM)

A study comparing the effectiveness of various parts of Merrill and Tennyson's model for teaching concepts showed that a presentation of examples and nonexamples in an expository presentation or in an inquisitory practice presentation enhances the acquisition of social studies concepts. The addition of a definition is not essential. (RM)

What makes a case interesting enough or important enough to be heard by the Supreme Court is discussed, tips to help teachers use a Supreme Court docket in the classroom are presented, and teaching strategies are described. Resources for studying the Supreme Court are also cited. (RM)

In New Jersey v. T.L.O., a case argued in 1984, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether incriminating evidence found by a school assistant princial during the search of a student's purse can be used in a criminal trial. Issues, facts, background, and arguments of the case are provided. (RM)

The teachers of second languages and the teachers of social studies share a weighty responsibility to help students move toward global understanding and multicultural awareness. Possible areas of cooperation between the two disciplines, as well as constraints, are discussed. (RM)

More than 22 million persons in the United States speak a non-English language at home. There is an ideology that associates non-English languages with foreignness, and often with poverty and inferiority. The background for this ideology, how it developed, and whether it is warranted are discussed. (RM)

The ability of American educators to recognize and appreciate the value of each language-culture group will, to some extent, determine the greatness of our educational system. Variables that contribute to language differences are examined, and bilingual education and English as a second language programs are discussed. (RM)

American Indian children are not succeeding in school. A major reason is language. American Indians speak their own indigenous language as well as an indigenous English. Linguistic pressures by teachers are viewed by an Indian child as an attack on his/her identity. Teacher education concerning the relationship between language and identity is…

Comparing requires individuals to examine and then identify how two or more things are similar and different. Procedures that teachers can use to help students learn to process information comparatively are provided. Emphasis is given to the appropriate language and vocabulary for expressing differences and similarities. (RM)

There are more than 100 ethnic groups or nationalities in the Soviet Union. Many of these still speak their own native language. To accelerate mass education, these native languages are used in K-12 schools; however, the Russian language is promoted as the main language of science, technology, and international discourse. (RM)

Most East African nations have adopted the colonial languages of English or French as the medium of communication and education. One notable exception is Tanzania where, while each ethnic group has its own language, Kiswahili serves as an effective lingua franca. (RM)