Discusses the study of folklore and mythology as primary sources in history instruction. Describes three primary methods of study: (1) the literary method analyzing content, structure, and context; (2) a focus on sociocultural aspects; and (3) an emphasis on behavioral attitudes. Provides a breakdown of sources from folklore and folkways, and…

Addresses the difficulty of teaching historical perspective to students. Suggests that teachers can teach historical concepts better by trying to understand how to use indefinite time expressions. Presents results of a study focusing on teacher perceptions of student responses to indefinite time expressions. Discusses the building of time lines to…

Presents a model for unit design created by a high school social studies department. Explains that the model has four main parts: (1) a central question, (2) an introductory grabber or attention getter, (3) rich detail, and (4) a culminating activity. Includes a sample unit on the American Revolution. (DK)

Presents results of a survey of high school seniors exploring what instructional activities they preferred as a means of learning citizenship education. Explains that the eight citizenship education activities used were derived from eight citizenship teaching approaches. Reports that students preferred activities based on current events,…

Presents a simulation in which students take the roles of legislators and lobbyists in a debate over the minimum drinking age. Explains that the activity is limited to key elements of the legislative process. Suggests that the activity will help give meaning to abstract processes by providing motivation and relevance for students. Includes…

Presents study results of how children reason about international trade. Explains that open ended questions were posed to students in grades 1-11 asking why nations trade, the benefits of trade, and their understanding of barriers to trade. Concludes that teaching fundamentals of international trade can be introduced as early as grade six. (DK)

Addresses the incorporation of cooperative learning in the secondary history classroom. Suggests procedures to be followed during the planning stage of a cooperative activity: (1) choose appropriate content; (2) for student teams; and (3) develop materials and directions. Suggests that the involvement of cooperative learning will offer motivation…

Discusses the exchange of plants and animals that resulted from the contact between Europe and the Americas. Includes a table of percentages of the world's crops and animal populations in the western hemisphere. Describes the social disruption that resulted from the agricultural exchange by the spread of slavery and other exploitive labor…

Discusses methods for increasing students' appreciation of and interest in history by incorporating the human element into the narrative. Suggests that this can be accomplished by utilizing diaries, journals, oral histories, and living people. Argues that the brief coverage of events presented in texts does little to give students a feeling of the…

Discusses the use of fine arts as sources to enrich the study of history. Suggests that such works will serve as barometers of change, examples of cross-cultural influences, and political messages. Includes suggestions of works and artists from different historic periods. (DK)

Presents a retrospective look at the curriculum reform known as the New Social Studies. Defines New Social Studies as a content organization reflecting a discipline or a teaching-learning methodology emphasizing induction, inquiry, and problem solving. Suggests that more parent involvement and student cooperation are necessary before more…

Analyzes effects of globalization and the intersection of tribal and modern societies in several areas, especially politics, economics, and communication. Urges social studies teachers to consider the world a totality and to introduce global issues to students. Advocates designing maps and charts that reflect new global realities and promote a…

Presents a paper delivered in Poland in 1989 and in five additional Eastern European cities in 1990. Defines democracy and suggests ways to teach about democratic government. Explores education's role in a democracy. Encourages student participation in student government, classroom discussion, community service, and research projects to give them…

Fifty-five Schenectady, New York, high school seniors enrolled in a participation in government course served as members on a school budget review panel, attended a conference on state aid to public schools, and conducted a community survey during school budget elections. Explains survey design, administration, and results. Stresses political…

Interviews Wisconsin high school economics teachers, cited for their teaching excellence, to discover methods used to correct students' misconceptions about economics. Covers opportunity cost, supply and demand, money creation, and gross national product. Finds teachers were adept at using germane examples, showed more confidence teaching…