Explicates the fascinating origins (and conflicting versions thereof) for a number of well-known folk songs including, "Casey Jones,""John Henry,""Frankie and Johnny," and "Tom Dooley." Notes that source material on these and other songs is widely available through liner notes, folk song periodicals, and folklore journals. (MJP)

Reviews a number of Internet sites containing information on every aspect of life in Modern India. The various sites provide information on such diverse topics as the Indian film industry, politics, the booming Indian computer industry, changing status of women, and financial and political issues. (MJP)

Explores the production, distribution, and content of the, "Horrors of War," a series of trading cards produced between 1938 and 1942. Created by a Baptist advertising executive the cards used graphic images to communicate an antiwar message to young adolescents. Discusses possible learning activities used in conjunction with the cards. (MJP)

Recounts a student teacher's first experiences in the classroom and provides helpful commentary and suggestions from a more experienced teacher. Briefly discusses classroom management, learning styles, individual needs, time constraints, assessment, and instructional materials. Includes a list of activities that help promote an atmosphere of…

Analyzes data from a questionnaire addressing preservice elementary teachers' negative attitudes toward social studies. Identifies and discusses six categories of concern: negative past experiences; lack of personal interest; confusion over the nature of social studies; conflicting beliefs; topic selection; and traditional teaching styles. (MJP)

Examines a social studies methods course where preservice teachers explored ways to use a variety of materials and sources to engage middle and high school students in higher order thinking about social studies content, especially with regard to historical thinking. Discusses students' responses. (MJP)

Identifies and discusses six themes for teaching "History and Nature of Science and Technology" developed by a teacher enhancement workshop. The themes are designed to provide instructional guidelines for teachers developing courses in this area. Includes sample project descriptions, learning outcomes, and instructional activities. (MJP)

Defines the Scaffolding Reading Experience as a reading improvement technique that incorporates prereading, reading, and postreading activities. Discusses how this can be used in social studies classes and provides specific examples from an 11th-grade U.S. history class. Includes a list of optional activities and teaching suggestions. (MJP)

Presents a brief examination of legislation mandating Holocaust education, points out limitations in existing practices for using literature to teach this topic and discusses examples of the best and most recent Holocaust literature. Includes a bibliography of fiction and nonfiction Holocaust literature for children and young adults. (MJP)

Describes a project in which the Rock Hill School District (Rock Hill, South Carolina) collaborated with a state museum and historic site, Historic Brattonsville (McConnells, South Carolina), to teach third-grade students about South Carolina history. Explains that the students spent a day in a schoolhouse to learn about the life of children in…

Describes a unit for fifth- and sixth-grade students that helps develop critical thinking skills. Explains that students read the book, "Leonardo da Vinci" (Diane Stanley), to develop their historical interpretation skills and demonstrate that there is not just one right answer in history. (CMK)

Focuses on the artwork of Larry Rivers as a means to integrate art and history. Discusses a project completed by preservice teachers in which they created a Rivers-style mural for the Ronald Reagan Elementary School (Bakersville, California), depicting the life and contributions of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. (CMK)

Presents lessons for fourth-grade students in which they create outlines, a measured space that matches with the dimensions of a thing or place from the past. Uses kinesthetics for topics, such as: setting sail for Jamestown (Virginian) in 1606, building a log cabin in 1816, and homesteading in 1830. (CMK)

Presents a lesson used with fourth and fifth graders focusing on women's rights in the 1880s in which students solve a mystery through historical research. States the lesson prepares elementary students to investigate historical questions by examining primary sources. (CMK)

Presents a lesson plan for fourth or fifth graders integrating art and social studies. Explains the lesson focuses on the 50 State Quarters Program and emphasizes the inquiry method. Explains that students create their own quarter design for a state. Lists other inquiry projects using the quarter program. (CMK)