Describes a semester-long class for secondary school students that examines the Black experience in the United States. The interdisciplinary course includes a preassessment quiz; a section on stereotypes, prejudice, and racial attitudes; a historical overview; literature; guest speakers; and a major project or paper. (KC)

Presents a General Assessment Model (GAM) to evaluate learning activities for secondary school students. Students summarize the content within the activity and relate the content to a core of social studies skills and knowledge. The teacher then constructs a graph which correlates GAM scores with the activity. (KC)

Describes (with illustrations) board games based on a popular television show and adapted for bilingual classrooms in Texas. The games, adaptable for use in any classroom, are entitled "Mexican American History: Past and Present"; "Traveling to California--1848 Style"; and "Spanish-American History--1400s Style, or Who Is Columbus?" (KC)

Presents an introductory activity for a unit on the People's Republic of China. Students identify the country through four sets of clues about China's cultural characteristics, such as, where in the world would you find books being printed for Ghana schools, barefoot doctors, and Peonybrand toilet paper. (Author/KC)

Demonstrates how illustrations can stimulate learning and critical thinking, specifically in studying Latin American cultures. Seven illustrations with questions for student analysis are included. (KC)

Discusses classroom use of the videodisc--a disc for recording sounds and images for use in television sets. Examines capability of several systems, advantages of videodisc technology, and the future of videodisc marketing. (KC)

Reviews recent evidence (newspaper articles, journal columns, research reports, etc.) which indicate that the teaching of American history in public schools is a topic of recent widespread interest. (DB)

Maintains that, in spite of many problems, American history is still a viable subject. Recommends that recent emphasis on special social studies skills and inquiry techniques should not allow Americans to lose sight of their collective past. (DB)

Reviews where we have been, where we are now, and where we ought to be going in teaching American history. Topics discussed include consensus historians, questioning of consensus interpretations, new interest in the origins of Americans, history of women, history of American labor, and development of a new social history. (Author/DB)

Offers ideas for making history a more interesting topic. Ideas include starting with topics which are nearby, including community and family groups and experiences, placing demands on students' intelligence and imagination, relating history to the humanities, using strategies for creating a sense of time in students, and teaching history as a…

With the objective of acquainting teachers of American history with the best sources and resources available, the article provides a critical assessment of tradebooks which can enhance learning and add to the pleasures of history for students. (Author/DB)

Presents a guide to educational resources in the area of social studies. Entries are presented in the following categories: historical methods books, all-around tools, books of broad interpretations, collections of documents, historical photographs and artifacts, historical landmarks, oral history, historical fiction, old standbys, and periodicals…

Suggests how to press an issue upon legislators during the final campaign months of an election year when legislators are more responsive to constituents. Information is presented on making use of campaign finance reports, creating a chart showing performance of various legislators and devising political organizing techniques. A directory of…

Maintains that social studies facts are worth teaching and suggests how to teach them to pupils in elementary school social studies classes. Topics discussed include definition of facts, ways in which facts encourage communication, and the importance of facts in reasoning. Several sample fact lessons are presented. (DB)

Describes a lesson plan which was used successfully to teach the basics of investment to students in a fifth-grade social studies class on economics education. Projects included in the unit included selling stock, pre-sales preparation, selling, profits, and investment. (DB)