States that adult value patterns are largely set during students middle school years. Argues that social studies teachers must adapt their instruction to the unique characteristics and needs of these students. Concludes that development of citizenship skills and socially responsible attitudes deserve a high priority in the middle school social…

Offers a series of recommendations for middle grades social studies reflecting a conscious commitment to three educational goals: (1) personal development; (2) communication and learning skills; and (3) on history, government, and geography; use of a variety of teaching methods; and recognition of the uniqueness of middle school students. (GEA)

Argues that the greatest deficiency in U.S. education is the development of behavior that is attitude and value-driven, not information-driven. Urges social studies teachers to recognize that middle school education is a moral enterprise and adjust examples, discussion, and teaching activities accordingly. Reviews research and instructional…

Discusses California's Middle Grade Task Force and its report, "Caught in the Middle: Educational Reform for Young Adolescents in California Public Schools." Describes the 1987 revision of the California history-social science framework which emphasizes character development through studying the moral and ethical struggles of literary and…

Presents brief descriptions of seven class projects designed to teach important social studies concepts to middle school students. Provides addresses for those wanting to obtain more information. (GEA)

Discusses the history of baseball cards and their use in the classroom as historical documents. Includes five exercises which deal with trading cards and the game itself. Provides a blown-up version of a 1950's Minnie Minoso baseball card to be used with one of the exercises. (GEA)

States that social studies teachers should present the available factual information about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in terms of what is happening globally and examine questions of human and civil rights raised by the disease. Provides a list of facts and discussion questions for classroom teachers. (GEA)

Presents an annotated bibliography of materials pertaining to social studies in the middle school. Teacher resources, classroom applications, and curriculum guides are listed along with ordering information. (GEA)

Presents eight short writing activities that do not involve grading papers or using the entire class period. The activities are intended to help students summarize lessons, increase comprehension and memory, organize facts and ideas, identify examination topics, and practice general writing skills. (GEA)

Presents a lesson plan which analyzes and discusses the U.S. Constitution in relation to the constitutions of other countries. States that this international approach offers a deeper understanding of the document and promotes a greater appreciation of it as students examine the values that underlie their rights and responsibilities. (GEA)

Discusses the Conference on History, Civil Government, and Political Economy of the National Education Association (NEA), known as the "Committee of Ten" which met in December 1892. Describes the committee's recommendations which, among other things, called for the movement away from rote memorization toward newer educational methods which served…

Examines "Decisions, Decisions-Revolutionary Wars: Choosing Sides," an Apple II software package that emphasizes student decision-making about the nature of revolutions. Targeted at grades 5-12, the product covers a broad range of issues. Concludes that "Decisions, Decisions" models an effective decision-making process and has significant…

Argues that the public school is a realistic setting for involving students in U.S. style democracy. States that teachers should use the similarities to teach students about representative democracy (school elections) and effective lobbying (petitioning the school board). Concludes that this comparison is an effective way to teach students about…

Discusses the curricular content and instructional methodology of social studies which have a vital impact on students' attitudes toward men and women and on their knowledge of sex roles. Presents five strategies from the Models of Teaching Program which are designed to encourage critical and creative thinking about men and women in all cultures…

Presents a moral development approach to achieving sex equity. Uses discussion of carefully developed Kohlberg-type moral dilemmas relating to sex equity to elicit moral judgments from children at a number of developmental stages. States that schools can help promote equity through the implementation of carefully designed moral education programs.…