How can teachers effectively use documentary film to teach history, and toward what goals? This article addresses these important questions by: (1) exploring what we know about secondary teachers' practices with documentary film and secondary students' beliefs about documentary film as a source of knowledge about the past, (2) proposing a…

This article discusses how fictional works can give a purposeful context and an appropriate venue for developing essential social studies concepts in middle-school students. The author uses the example of a National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) notable book, "Jason's Gold" that blends history with story to become historical…

A significant element of teaching is identifying goals and assessing whether the instruction is helping students achieve those goals. That is especially true in teacher education courses, because those taking the courses will eventually affect hundreds of students. Results, however, are difficult to assess in teacher education courses because the…

Efforts by the state of Illinois to foster school improvement at the local level in crucial subject matter areas in all Illinois schools have been underway for nearly two decades and have involved all stakeholders, from educators to citizens to state board employees to elected officials. The overarching goal has been to help children increase…

Provides a overview of the development and implementation of free public education. Considers the political climate of 18th-century America and the subsequent controversies concerning tax-supported public education. Discusses such issues as moral education, religious education, civic education, and secular and religious opposition and provides…

Outlines the history, goals, and topics covered by social studies in junior secondary schools in Botswana. Questionnaire responses from 150 junior secondary teachers address conceptions about the definition and content of social studies, the qualities of instructional materials, the quality of social studies teachers, and other related problems.…

Tells about the creation of the High School Geography Project. Beginning with a statement of problems faced by geography instructors, the story continues by examining the creation of project objectives, development of an overarching structure for lessons, and discussion of the project's success. Suggestions for contemporary curriculum design are…

Contains suggestions for lesson planning and instructional strategies that are based upon individual student needs and high teacher expectations within increasingly diverse classrooms. Discusses planning around the concept of a planning pyramid of student learning. Presents a sample lesson plan about immigration to the United States. (DSK)

Builds a case for a careful reexamination of what it means to teach students to think critically. Briefly summarizes three noteworthy studies of higher-order thinking programs and discusses some of their fallacious assumptions. Proposes a more realistic and attainable approach to higher order thinking titled "reflective judgment." (MJP)

Explores the transnational character of social studies in Australia from 1930 to 1970 and the far-reaching nature of ideas and decisions made during this time. Specifically examines a historical case study of the adoption of social studies in Queensland from 1950 to 1970. Discusses the influence of U.S. based pedagogy. (MJP)

Asserts that all of the major principles of political democracy are embedded in the tenets of multicultural education. Multicultural education facilitates the translation of principles of democratic living into practice for a society populated by people from many different ethnic, racial, cultural, and social backgrounds. (MJP)

Discusses some of the cultural and logistical challenges faced by service learning projects. Theses challenges include a predisposition toward individualism over collective action, lack of time and emphasis on traditional learning. Provides strategies and approaches for overcoming these challenges. Includes a sample questionnaire for parents and…

Reprints a series of "how-to" guidelines concerning service learning from the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago (CFRC). Includes a working definition of service learning, a five-step process for projects, and specific goals to be reached at each stage of the project. (MJP)

Briefly discusses the approaches and treatment given to George Washington in most K-12 classrooms. Argues that history is more than a rote memorization of facts, and describes several programs in Texas that have attempted a broader and more consistent approach. Discusses Washington's relevance for today's students. (MJP)

Defends the National History Standards against the criticism that they virtually eliminated George Washington from the history curriculum. Maintains that this criticism is politically motivated. Provides many examples from the Standards mandating and supporting the study of Washington and his contributions. (MJP)