Four social studies teachers are interviewed to find out what they think about current social studies issues. Topics discussed include what teachers, administrators, the public, professional organizations, and colleges can do to improve instruction; the most important course content; teachers' vulnerability to political pressure; and major…

To be effective teachers should have a knowledge of subject matter, the ability to organize and present material in a way that emphasizes broad concepts but makes practical application apparent, and model what they teach. They should also be able to keep their wits about them through many interruptions. (RM)

A substitute teacher describes some of the impromptu lessons and activities that she has successfully used in secondary social studies classes, e.g., analyzing political cartoons; reading charts; defining, spelling, and using terms correctly in writing. Some of these activities are intended to close gaps detected in student knowledge. (RM)

Teacher centers respond to a teacher's own defined needs by offering assistance, instruction, and materials to help enrich classroom learning experiences. Services provided social studies educators by the Teacher Center in Humboldt County, California, are described. (RM)

An examination of approved California state textbooks showed that the majority of the books fail to reflect the past or present realities of the Asian American experience. None of the books reviewed did an adequate job of integrating the experience of Asian Americans. (RM)

Described is an approach for teaching history from an authentic and contemporary American Indian perspective. This approach involves the retelling of a Yurok myth, recording it in a bilingual text, and demonstrating how history can be presented with a map. (RM)

Reasons why elementary teachers should use social interaction activities as the core of their social studies program are discussed. The two main vehicles for involving children in guided and purposeful social interaction are the real classroom social system and simulated real-life social activities. (RM)

Society wants its citizens to have precise social understandings which can be applied towards solving social issues. Implications for social studies teacher education and for the classroom teacher are examined. Social studies teachers should step outside the classroom and assist citizens in clarifying social concerns. (RM)

Described is a preservice, social studies methods course. Two fundamental premises provide the foundation for the course: (1) students need to learn how to investigate and discuss societal issues, develop personal positions, and make decisions through democratic processes; (2) secondary education should relate to the nature of today's teenagers.…

A study of several versions of the Educational Testing Service's Achievement Test in American History and Social Studies casts doubt upon the claim that the test accurately assesses historical knowledge. Suggestions for improving the Achievement Test are made. (RM)

Many schools require that the U.S. history course be taught in English so that second language learners from all language groups can participate on an equal footing. Described are activities which will make the textbook more comprehensible to these pupils for whom English is a second language. (RM)

Described are summer economics institutes in which teachers from Pennsylvania learned about local and regional economies through classroom instruction and field experience and then used what they had learned to develop classroom materials. The local community is an excellent vehicle for integrating economics into classroom instruction. (RM)

The major recommendation was the formulation of an American and Pennsylvania studies program in a 9th- and 10th-grade sequence. The rationale for abandoning the traditional two-year program offered in the 8th and 11th grades or the U.S. history survey course is presented. Recommendations regarding elementary grades are also discussed. (RM)

In researching her family history, a secondary teacher became aware of the many resources available in Philadelphia, e.g., the Philadelphia Free Library houses all censuses recorded, the Philadelphia Historical Society archives old maps. She later had students in her American minority groups course use these resources to trace their family roots.…

Braddock, a British officer with well-trained, well-supplied, orderly troops, was slaughtered by ill-provided, untrained Indians under the command of second line captains of the French infantry. With his defeat, the Ohio Valley was laid open to the command of the French and the ravages of the Indians. (RM)