Contends that social studies textbooks do not reflect recent archaeological research on pre-Columbian Americans. Summarizes recent research results and develops new concepts about Mayan civilization. Examines and rates 12 textbooks currently used in public schools regarding how well they incorporate the new research on Mayan civilization. (DB)

Argues that using popular recordings that feature baseball imagery is an innovative way to introduce students to the pluralistic nature of U.S. life. Outlines a variety of themes that use baseball history to develop concepts about social change, cultural values, and individual achievement. Lists audio recordings that have baseball themes. (DB)

Presents effective ways to combine classic political science readings with outside-the-classroom research assignments. Gives examples of projects that have worked well in preparing students for the United States government and politics advanced placement examination. (DB)

Argues that student comprehension difficulties are often diagnosed as reading problems, even though the problem extends to other learning skills. Considers the issue of comprehension in the context of reading, and examines aspects of the issue that extend to teacher communications. Suggest ways to help students understand social studies material.…

Describes an in-depth approach to infusing the fundamental dimension of human dignity into the social studies curriculum. States that students' awareness of individual dignity results from three main school program influences: (1) planned instruction, (2) teacher-child interaction, and (3) school responses to unacceptable behavior. (DB)

Argues that standardized testing undermines creativity and individuality. Contends that standardized testing has more to do with control of education than excellence, and discusses the impact of the National Assessment of Educational Progress on educational control. Maintains that flexible, alternative testing can evaluate student performance…

Discusses the impact on social studies education of events following World War II, including the Cold War and McCarthyism. Examines the professional literature to determine how the emphasis in social studies education changed from stressing broad societal and international goals to rote learning of civic duties. Concludes that after the 1950s,…

Discusses the role of social studies education in a developing nation, both in theory, and as it is practiced in the English-speaking Caribbean. Diagrams a dynamic for teaching social studies in developing societies. Contends that social studies education has a unique role to play in the enterprise of nation building. (DB)

Stresses that the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of the world demands that curriculum and teaching methods be adapted appropriately. Suggests how teachers from a variety of disciplines might emphasize the international dimension of their subject. (DB)

Advocates using broadsides, a form of public announcements in the colonial era, as an example of easily obtainable historical source materials. Examines how studying broadsides promotes skills associated with historical inquiry. Outlines a six-step model for teaching with broadsides. Provides three sample lessons for classroom use of broadsides.…

Illustrates the use of the writing wheel, a prewriting technique for writing from thesis statements that requires students to create a picture of a wheel. Shows how the wheel can be used in writing paragraphs and how it can be combined with summary writing to produce an integrated term paper. (DB)

Outlines two reasons that issue-centered discourse will be legitimized in the schools. Contends that the impact of societal problems will force schools to deal with social issues, and that the recognition of the hidden curriculum's influence will impel schools to capitalize on the learning taking place within their walls. (SLM)

Notes the current attempt to replace social studies with U.S. history and geography. Delineates the two strands of thought in the social studies reform movement and argues that there is a strong tradition of the social studies as a unified, issue-centered field of study. (SLM)

Reviews the history of social studies as an integrated, issue-centered field of study from its inception within the progressive movement to the present. Summarizes major curricular development projects within the issues-centered orientation and speculates on the decline of the problems approach in social studies education. (SLM)

Contends that the problems approach is new to most teachers and is at odds with the dominant curricular trend that includes reliance on textbooks and content-oriented courses. Concludes that there is a formidable set of forces opposing the implementation of such a curriculum. (SLM)