Presents a lesson plan designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop and extend their conceptual understanding of the liberties found in the amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Outlines instructional procedures for a two class period presentation. (GEA)

Using the Iran-Contra Affair as an illustration, Shermis describes how civics instruction fails to prepare students for effective participation in U.S. society. Examining five textbooks, he concludes that issues are so condensed and sanitized that there is no opportunity for students to think critically and practice necessary problem-solving…

Emphasizing the educational importance of the bicentennial celebration of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, Miller reviews various curriculum materials related to the topic. Recommends works for all grade levels, citing, among others, LESSONS ON THE CONSTITUTION, LAW AND THE BICENTENNIAL, and computer software entitled THE UNITED STATES…

Discusses the benefits of using simulations in the classroom, stating that critical-thinking simulations, as opposed to factual simulations, provide for more student involvement, a greater increase in students' research ability, and improved critical questioning skills. Describes each type of simulation and presents a critical-thinking example…

Examines the dispute concerning ideas related to a national scope and sequence for the social studies curriculum. Urges social studies teachers and other interested parties to review all proposals for a national scope and sequence so that they can participate in developing an improved plan or recognize that defining a scope and sequence is…

Describes Louisiana's "Black Americans in United States History" course which is designed to increase student knowledge of Black accomplishments and enhance student self-image through identification with past and present Blacks. Recommends using the inquiry method of instruction, giving special consideration to springboards and the group process.…

Maintains that most current descriptions of reflective inquiry portray Dewey's model incorrectly as a series of individual steps to be mastered in a procedural fashion. Offers an alternative approach to reflective inquiry grounded in a critical theory of education. (JDH)

To more carefully define the nature of thinking in social studies, this article examines shared features and teaching procedures of three alternative approaches to instruction for thinking: reflective thinking, inquiry, and critical thinking. Discusses the emerging field of cognitive science and draws implications for improving traditional…

Investigated the personal values orientation of 119 primary and 118 middle grade teachers from a southwest urban school district. Examined how these findings compared with values these teachers communicated in their instruction. Results indicated that there was little difference between teachers' personal values and the values they perceived to be…

This study investigated the social studies curriculum perceptions of 66 pre-methods undergraduates and 164 student teachers surveyed after their field experience. Perceptions were measured on a 21-item Likert-format questionnaire developed from the curriculum guidelines of the National Council for the Social Studies. Results showed little…

This paper suggests an approach for organizing the social studies curriculum to meet the need to identify specific goals while allowing for flexible content. Includes an example of how the approach works in the area of citizenship education. (JDH)

This article offers ideas for using the local community to support instruction in history. Suggestions range from using a variety of local library resources to field trips and oral histories. (JDH)

This ERIC column cites a variety of materials available to help teachers incorporate oral history in their classrooms. (JDH)

Reviews how the popular stereotypes of American Indians have changed since the colonization of North America. Once seen as noble savages by European settlers, the popular stereotypes changed to become less and less positive as colonization advanced. Urges teachers to vigorously challenge the stereotypes and negative images. (JDH)

Notes that social studies is a phenomena of the twentieth century, a field created as a response by educators to the crisis and chaos they perceived at the turn of the century. States that social studies has, since its founding, reflected concern for how change will occur and how it will be controlled. (JDH)