This guide gives parents answers to seven questions: (1) What are the social studies? (2) How are the social studies taught? (3) Why do social studies educators say that knowing information is not enough? (4) Why are there so many social studies courses? (5) What is happening to the language of the social studies? (6) What issues are discussed in…

Each April issue of the Journal "Social Education" contains an annotated bibliography of notable children's trade books in the field of social studies, evaluated and selected by the Book Review Subcommittee of the National Council for the Social Studies-Children's Book Council Joint Committee. This compilation represents a five-year cumulation…

This guide was designed to help secondary teachers use a series of radio programs based on the book, "First-Person America," an oral history collection derived in turn from a massive body of first-person accounts originally collected during the 1930's by the Federal Writer's Project. The series dramatizes the texture of everyday life in America…

A compilation of 13 social studies activities suitable for immediate application in the classroom includes teaching ideas for both elementary and secondary teachers. Activities comprise a simulated mapping expedition to Jamestown colony; a folktale illustration of moral dilemmas; taped interviews with Soviet citizens; simulated employment…

Each year, the journal "Social Education" contains an annotated bibliography of notable children's trade books in the field of social studies, evaluated and selected by the Book Review Subcommittee of the National Council for the Social Studies-Children's Book Council Joint Committee. This second compilation represents a two-year compilation…

A compilation of nine social studies activities suitable for immediate application in the classroom includes teaching ideas for middle school, secondary school, and college teachers. Activities include the use of (1) geographic skills to understand the use of solar radiation and available wind power, (2) questions to help students understand…

This guide was prepared to help elementary and secondary social studies teachers use the 1984 elections as a tool to teach about American government and politics. The goal is to help students use their town, country, or city as their classroom and to use newspapers, community resources, campaign materials and activities, and the broadcast media as…

Background information and ideas to help K-12 social studies teachers teach about local government are provided in this guide. Activities that involve the study of local governments may be a means by which positive attitudes and skills for citizenship education can be developed. Such activities can give students first-hand experience with the…

This monograph suggests that social studies will be improved if classroom teachers concentrate on mastering concepts rather than facts. It explains how teachers can help students understand events and trends in American history by investigating general concepts such as capitalist institutional development, the interaction of historical…

Introduces a theme issue on the history of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Maintains that the history is primarily descriptive and conclusions should be viewed as hypotheses for further investigation. Includes a list of NCSS presidents from 1921 to 1996. (CFR)

Maintains that social studies education arose out of a concern for an educational system that prepared citizens for a democratic society. Describes the influence of the National Education Association and the American Historical Association on the National Council for the Social Studies. (CFR)

Maintains that the early years of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) set the tone for its later developments. Discusses the significance of early organizational leaders; the development of the NCSS journal, "Social Education"; and the influence of both the National Education Association and the American Historical Association. (CFR)

Describes the history and growth of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) during the Great Depression and World War II years. Discusses the NCSS publications program and the role of author James A. Michener in the organization. (CFR)

Describes how the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) grew into a major professional organization during the years 1947-1968. Discusses the NCSS response to domestic and social issues such as civil rights, the Cold War, and educational reform following Sputnik. (CFR)

Describes the organization's break with the National Education Association and development of an organizational structure and a code of professional ethics. Discusses the identity crisis and tension between social studies education and the social science disciplines that continue to be issues within the organization. (CFR)