History and literature contain the keys to understanding oneself and others. Studying these subjects helps young people realize how the world they know evolved and how people like them coped with challenges, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. These subjects introduce students to models of achievement and courage, but they also provide…

"The Little Red Hen" is a classic story. Many children have not had the opportunity to see where a commercial loaf of bread comes from, or to feel the bounce of rising dough in a kitchen. "The Little Red Hen" not only helps to introduce the process, but gives the students an opportunity to reflect how they might feel if they did the work on a…

Students need to enter the interconnected global community with an understanding of how different cultures perceive the world, how the cultures and societies of today evolved from those of the past, and how all peoples impact the development of future societies. Unfortunately, time constraints or lack of resources in schools cause many social…

One can easily identify the United States of America by the Statue of Liberty, France by the Eiffel Tower, Egypt by its Great Sphinx, and China by its Great Wall. What do these landmarks tell people about these places? What are the characteristics of the place and culture that are symbolized by these landmarks? These questions can serve as the…

"A Study of Heroes: Making a Difference Using Your Heart, Intellect, and Talents" is a program originally developed in diverse school communities. Students learn to distinguish between the concepts of hero and celebrity and to discover the real heroes in their own families, schools, communities, and most importantly--within themselves. This…

While No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has focused school officials' attention on staying off the dreaded list of schools failing to make Adequate Yearly Progress, the story of the law's negative effects on teaching and learning, particularly in schools at risk of failure, is beginning to emerge. In this article, the authors discuss NCLB's effects on…

Total Physical Response (TPR), developed by James Asher, is defined as a teaching technique whereby a learner responds to language input with body motions. Performing a chant or the game "Robot" is an example of a TPR activity, where the teacher commands her robots to do some task in the classroom. Acting out stories and giving imperative commands…

Presents a study on how doctors (n=14) select and assess information in practice. The data produced from open-ended interviews was interpreted though a conceptual framework derived from Ludwick Fleck. Concludes that doctors lack adequate resources to assess knowledge. (Contains 52 references.) (DDR)

Synthesizes research presented in two previous "Southern Social Studies Journal"articles that reviewed picture books about the topic of Appalachia. Discusses the problems that were encountered and offers nine proposals as solutions to these problems. Includes references. (CMK)

Focuses on different methods to teach grades K-12 about Thanksgiving from an inclusive perspective. Provides background information and activities from the perspectives of Native Americans, such as teaching about the Wampanoag and Squanto tribes, and also from the perspective of the pilgrims. (CMK)

Discusses how to teach about the U.S. Civil War by appealing to the seven intelligences included in "The Theory of Multiple Intelligences" (Howard Gardener). Explains that for each intelligence, there is a description offered with learning activities to enable students to learn according to their abilities. (CMK)

Presents strategies for improving student literacy skills within the social studies discipline, focusing on the book, "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl." Includes strategies for prereading (what we Know-what we Want to know- what we Learned (K-W-L) and Anticipation-Reaction guides), during reading (graphic organizers), and post reading…

Describes the content of the picture book, "Encounter," written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by David Shannon. States that it focuses on the arrival of Christopher Columbus to San Salvador (El Salvador) from a boy's perspective. Includes questions for use when discussing the messages and content of the book. (CMK)

Presents the results of an extensive quantitative content analysis of Gould's 22 books, 101 book reviews, 479 scientific papers, and 300 Natural History essays, in terms of subject matter, and thematic dichotomies. Emphasizes the interaction between the subjects and themata, how Gould has used the history of science to reinforce his evolutionary…

Considers what students are learning about the environment. Summarizes ways in which market forces can improve environmental quality. Discusses the "tragedy of the commons" (people overuse things they do not own) and the role of private property rights. Considers noneconomic and economic remedies and gives examples of market-oriented reforms. (CMK)