Believes that students will understand the evils of hatred and prejudice by studying the children of the Holocaust. Provides an introductory lesson to this topic that focuses on comprehending the number of victims killed during the Holocaust by examining photographs of victims' shoes heaped in a huge pile. Gives a list of references. (CMK)

Describes a lesson where students conduct an attitude survey on energy conservation in order to learn about survey research and scales in handling survey data. Explains that the understanding of survey research and energy conservation is relevant to ones civic life. Provides the energy attitude survey the students used for data collection. (CMK)

Believes that there has been a return to the definition of citizenship forwarded by educational reformers of the 1890's that characterizes the reform efforts of the 1990's. Reviews the ongoing debate in reform efforts of whether citizenship education should be integrated into the social studies as opposed to the history curriculum. (CMK)

Explores the reasons for using the Internet in the classroom: (1) stimulates student interest; (2) develops information literacy; (3) encourages student interaction; and (4) offers students control over their learning. Discusses two examples of how the Internet can enhance the social studies curriculum and recognizes the barriers to Internet…

Analyzes students' evaluations of teaching instruction in a social studies methods course when the course was taught in an active instructional approach as opposed to a passive approach. Finds that the students rated the instructor of the active course higher on the instructor's ability to promote understanding of course topics and overall…

Believes that social studies teachers should encourage young people to learn about Canadian heroes but simultaneously assist them in developing skepticism as opposed to only idealizing heroes. Explains that when students understand the qualities of heroes they will be able to cope when someone they hold as a hero falters. (CMK)

Provides activities for grades 6 to 8 that will promote student awareness and understanding of the use of hydropower in Canada, the benefits and drawbacks to hydropower, and also the drawbacks of electricity transmission lines. Explains that the activities focus on the James Bay Hydro Project in Canada. (CMK)

Discusses the Essentials Project that began in 1994 involving 20 teachers in creating standards for history and social science in secondary education in Ontario (Canada). Provides the standards, learning outcomes, and performance tasks focusing on why the particular learning outcomes were chosen and issues for social studies teachers. (CMK)

Discusses the reasons and benefits for using portfolio assessment in social studies and history classrooms. Describes three approaches of portfolio design: (1) assessment portfolio; (2) working portfolio; and (3) showcase or display portfolio. Addresses the challenges involved when utilizing portfolio assessment. (CMK)

Describes criterion-referenced assessment that involves the teacher establishing what should be assessed, the standards for assessment, and then finally utilizing a rubric. Discusses the use of criterion-referenced assessment in social studies and humanities classes, the students' role in developing the rubrics, and the success of this type of…

Addresses the problems with conventional assessment in social studies and describes an alternative form called dynamic assessment. Explains how to use dynamic assessment in social studies, and in particular, for evaluating citizenship participation. Provides two charts that demonstrate how dynamic assessment can modify teachers' evaluation…

Explains that the Internet is a good source of information and misinformation about the rights that Canadians do and do not enjoy. Provides websites that address human rights issues, such as government and non-governmental organizations, and information for locating newsgroups and listservs. (CMK)

Describes activities that can be adapted for students in elementary to high school grade levels that link teaching about local government to the concept of community and provide starting points for project ideas centering on the active involvement of students, teachers, and local government officials. (CMK)

Discusses the changes in musical experiences, such as live versus recorded music, as society has developed technologically. Presents a crossword puzzle that focuses on the traditions and musicians of baroque, classical, and romantic music each originating in Europe. Includes the clues and word list. (CMK)

Argues that textbooks are still important to social studies instruction and promotes the comparison of outdated textbooks to current ones as a means for developing students' critical thinking. Asserts that textbooks should be considered as another tool for instruction alongside computers in order to provide students with a wide range of resources.…