Children's literature is one of the more popular and useful teaching tools in the elementary social studies classroom. Children's books that communicate social studies content in an artistic manner can have a significant impact on students. In this article, the author relates her personal adventures in seeking appropriate material and gives brief…

Recommends using the Storypath method for introducing social studies concepts into the primary grades. Storypath introduces children to an imaginary environment (a neighborhood) and, working in teams, students provide details and people. Eventually they face a problem (litter), then bring the story and the problem to some kind of resolution. (MJP)

Maintains that viewing and studying old photographs can acquaint young students with the skills of historical inquiry and help them conceptualize local and family history. Includes teaching tips, in-class activities, and suggested guest speakers. (MJP)

Profiles "Barnyard Economics," a children's play produced by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). SIFE is a national organization for college students who provide economic education to the community. The audience-participation play uses the adventures of a pig to illustrate opportunity costs, production of goods and services, and productive…

Describes a middle school class that incorporated social studies and state history into a course on African American history. Recommends the children's book, "African Americans in Florida," a model for an exploration of state history that can be used as a guide by teachers looking for similar books. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan constructed around activities and materials concerning the National Park System. Activities include using maps and other geographic tools to acquire, process, and report information in spatial terms; discovering the physical and human characteristics of places; and interpreting how culture and experience influence…

Recommends the study of architecture as an early introduction to the interdisciplinary study of history, geography, economics, sociology, and art. Maintains that this study can increase interest in local history and citizenship. Profiles pilot programs that have incorporated architecture into social studies instruction. (MJP)

Offers an abundance of World Wide Web resources for K-12 educators. Briefly describes interesting web sites, including the "K-12 History on the Internet Resource Guide" and sites by National Geographic, the Smithsonian Institute, and Ben and Jerry's. Discusses personal web pages including the author's own. (MJP)

Outlines an approach for incorporating class meetings into an elementary class. In class meetings, rules and practices are agreed upon, not only for everyday procedures but also for specific controversial topics. Includes sample class-meeting formats for discipline problems and other issues. (MJP)

Reviews five recent children and young adult books recounting the experiences of African American women. The books cover, respectively, the lives of Olympians, musicians, crusader Marion Wright Edelman (one of the first black teenagers to integrate Little Rock High School), and a Pony Express trail driver. (MJP)

Discusses ways in which software (available at most school computing sites) can be used to create interesting visuals for lesson plans and activities. Describes a series of computer-generated graphics (created using Microsoft PowerPoint) designed to support a unit on families and diversity. (MJP)

Describes a simulated archaeological dig designed for Iowa elementary and middle school students that provided students with experiential learning focusing on the basic tenets of archaeology. Includes instructions on preparing for the dig, organizing materials, excavating the simulated site, analyzing artifacts, and engendering community support.…

Describes an interdisciplinary curriculum on aging that incorporates intergenerational activities, inquiry-oriented research, narrative histories, and field trips. Includes separate questionnaires for older adults and primary grade students, an annotated bibliography, and a chart of activities emphasizing knowledge, comprehension, analysis,…

Describes the Scaffolding Reading Experience, a technique that helps students deal with challenging expository texts and supports social science inquiry methods. This technique relies on various supporting activities during the prereading, during-reading, and postreading phases. Outlines a series of these activities used during a U.S. history…

Recounts a series of primary grade-level literacy-related activities using Margaret Miller's, "Who Uses This?" The book features the occupational tools of various professions and the activities emphasize word construction and recognition, problem solving, shared reading, and interactive writing. Includes a nine-item selected bibliography. (MJP)