Delineates the difficulties of teaching about genocide. Suggests literature helps students understand atrocities as real events affecting individuals. Claims literature reflects deep historical truths, whereas history provides the perspective for placing individual tragedy in larger context. Includes suggestions for recommended reading for…

Outlines a teaching unit, appropriate for grades seven through college, that helps students understand the nature of the United Nations definition of genocide. Questions the adequacy of that definition. Provides four classroom teaching scenarios for a cluster of five to eight class periods, culminating with students writing an essay about…

Presents an interdisciplinary unit for middle school students, focusing on the removal of the Cherokee and other tribes from Georgia to so-called Indian Territory, also known as the Trail of Tears. Outlines cooperative learning activities addressing whether or not this act constituted genocide. Uses excerpts from the novel, "The Education of…

Discusses a study in which fifth and sixth grade students joined with novice teachers to discuss literature in cooperative study groups. Finds students engaged in dialogue with teachers and peers, constructing meanings, revealing personal involvement, and actively inquiring about and evaluating the literature. Includes an excerpt from the…

Presents the presidential address of the 1990 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) annual meeting. Contends the current debate over social studies curriculum should continue to examine a variety of curriculum models. Argues the source of curriculum content should reside in the citizenry. Maintains educators must redirect their energies…

Describes a doctoral student's experiences on a trip to Turkey. Discusses the Southeast Anatolia Project involving dam building on the headwaters of the Euphrates to provide electricity and irrigation. Suggests the experience as an example demonstration of complexities of human and environmental interaction and other themes of geography. (DK)

Provides a partial listing of documents from the ERIC database dealing with energy. Includes information on natural resources, curriculum planning, and energy development. Suggests available educational materials including curriculum plans from Oregon, Maine, and federal agencies. (DK)

Discusses a school district's plan to introduce into the curriculum civic writing activities directly linked to local history and community issues. Suggests that writing can stimulate students' civic responsibility through the academic skills of research and critical thinking. Addresses planning, implementation, assessment, and recommendations.…

Discusses how changes in public school students and the culture that produces them have affected the teaching of history. Examines aspects of MTV's success for clues to the source of students' view of history as irrelevant. Attributes the view to the blurring of differences between the sacred and profane, connections between cause and effect, and…

Discusses integration of computer-based technology into the social studies curriculum. Suggests that the developmental nature of computer integration into instruction makes quantitative hardware-based technology standards unworkable. Recommends the integration of computers into the curriculum in stages based on the degree of training of teachers…

Describes Ptolemy's map of the world. Discusses the idea of mapping the ecumene or known world. Lists Ptolemy's map making conventions still in use today including location of north at the top, 90 degrees latitude between the equator and each pole, and style of representing physical features. Emphasizes Ptolemy's view of the world as dynamic. (DK)

Describes changes in educators' attitudes toward energy education and conservation. Suggests that students must understand how energy is supplied and consumed to understand the contemporary world. Recommends that educators identify links to energy issues in the existing curriculum and design activities around them. (DK)

Discusses themes and ideas for social studies teachers to use in teaching about energy. Addresses energy transitions, the rate of technology change, energy and economic growth, and comparing and developing new energy sources. Concludes that students need a historical and social context for understanding the environmental and economic problems that…

Suggests energy-related activities that represent different instructional approaches and can be adapted for different age levels. Includes library research, debates, role playing, games, and mock trials. Offers questions to be used in connection with the activities. Examines the future of energy use and international inequality of use. (DK)

Lists instructional resources for use by social studies teachers in teaching about energy. Includes curriculum materials, videotapes, organizations, government agencies, and industry trade associations that can provide information. Suggests items on energy conservation, global warming, ecology, nuclear power, fossil fuels, oil spills, and…