Provides direction for developing appropriate, meaningful social studies instruction for the middle school. Identifies characteristics of early adolescents that have a direct relationship to curriculum design and the selection of appropriate social studies instruction strategies. Offers National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)…

Examines how teachers can capitalize on interest in the age of the discoveries as the five-hundredth anniversary of Columbus' first voyage approaches. Indicates that a series of articles on the discoveries is intended to offer teachers a framework of themes that can inform their conceptions of world history as a high school course. (SG)

Discusses a cuneiform Babylonian tablet from about 500 B.C., the earliest extant world map. Explores bases for contemporary interpretation of the map. Observes that the map contains representations found in later maps. Suggests that modern views of the world are no less culturally laden than much earlier perspectives were. (SG)

Observes that, as families have changed over recent decades, so have their needs. Argues that social studies instruction for young students must change as well. Explores professional requirements for early childhood educators and the availability of public preschool programs. Discusses possible improvements in early childhood education in social…

Discusses instances of departure from the rights guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the Bill of Rights. Describes the internment of Japanese-Americans during the Second World War and other incidents in which the government denied individual rights. Details teaching activities intended to increase student understanding of such events. Proposes student…

Argues that cooperative learning is useful in elementary social studies instruction. Identifies positive interdependence, student interaction, individual accountability for mastering material, and appropriate interpersonal and small group skills as essential elements of cooperative learning. Suggests that cooperative learning can help teach social…

Argues that map skills instruction is among the broadest skill applications in the elementary school curriculum. Identifies problems encountered by elementary school children in dealing with maps and describes tasks designed to address such problems. Suggests that what teachers and curriculum developers learn from working with students can be used…

Describes a study of the global orientations of 187 tenth grade students. Reports that, although students often described their communities and states in positive terms, they tended to associate social problems with the national and world spheres. Suggests that a geopolitical focus could broaden the dialogue among students, teachers, and…

Discusses a method of finding and implementing articles from among the sizeable amount of professional literature regarding cooperative learning. Describes the application of three teaching models (1) jigsaw, (2) group investigation, and (3) cybernetics that apply cooperative learning to elementary and secondary social studies instruction. (SG)

Suggests using state and national seals as beginning points for middle school geography study. Notes that the emblems can serve as points of entry into the study of place. Highlights variation among in the amount of geographical information each emblem contains. Concludes that the use of emblems is a low-cost, high-interest teaching strategy. (SG)

Describes an activity in which students examine the value content of news presentations. Explains that after classroom brainstorming, students watch news broadcasts and answer values-related questions. Suggests references for teachers on the sources of U.S. values. (SG)

Identifies six winners of the 1990 Carter G. Woodson Book Awards. Includes book title, author, publisher, and year. Provides a brief description of each book. (SG)

Presents a National Council for the Social Studies position paper. Describes a vision of K-12 social studies teaching and learning to develop levels of social understanding and civic efficacy essential for participatory citizenship. Advocates curriculum content and teaching methods that are relevant, challenging, and active. (CFR)

Reports on a study of how the three-way encounter among Europeans, the indigenous Americans, and Africans is presented in six secondary U.S. history textbooks. Describes the evaluation instrument and process used to review the textbook content. Concludes that teachers should use supplementary materials to ensure balance. (CFR)

Presents two activities from an "Idea Bank for Teaching Germany and Europe U.S. Classrooms K-12." Includes a role playing exercise involving significant individuals from European history and a student project involving cooperative learning about individual European nations. Provides an address for obtaining a free copy of the "Idea Bank." (CFR)