A brief history of gold coins minted in California during the gold rush period is provided. (DE)

Simple but innovative strategies that fourth-grade California teachers can use for building student knowledge of California geography while reinforcing map skills throughout a typical fourth-grade state studies curriculum are presented. (RM)

Summarizes the responses to a survey of 106 community colleges in California concerning their geography programs. Briefly discusses information regarding facilities and faculty. Examines comparative enrollments in cultural, physical, world regional, and California geography courses. (MJP)

Describes new perspectives that should be used to teach fourth-grade topics in the 1981 California History/Social Science Framework, California Indians and the major historical periods, and the diverse people who made that history. Lists of materials and organizations that have current Indian publications are included. (AM)

Argues that, although Spanish/Mexican women have been important creative forces in shaping the development of California, their accomplishments have gone largely unrecorded. Describes the experiences of Spanish/Mexican women in California during the nineteenth century. Pays particular attention to the contributions of women in missions and on…

Discusses contributions women have made to the growth and development of society in California throughout the state's history. Presents reasons why women largely have been ignored by California history textbooks. Argues that students can benefit from a study of California women. (DB)

The history of requirements for teacher certification in California from 1860 is examined. Specific issues which have arisen in connection with the 1961 Fisher Bill and the 1970 Ryan Act are analyzed.

Outlines plans for a year-long, integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum, in which Southern California social studies students in grades K-12 study Shakespeare, his works, and the Elizabethan period. Suggestions for activities for all discipline areas, resource materials, and human resources are included. (AM)

Provides a resource list of 112 books and classroom teaching materials to promote the inclusion of women from all walks of life into the K-12 social studies curriculum and to meet the goals of the new California History/Social Science Framework. (DB)

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)

Describes the focus and activities of the schools involved in California's "Partnerships in Character Education" project. In its third year, the pilot project has developed five separate school programs. Team members assess the environment of the school and design a program incorporating adult modeling and curriculum integration. (MJP)

Profiles a teacher workshop sponsored by the School of California On-line Resources in Education (SCORE). The teachers developed units of instruction using problem-based learning (a constructivist approach where students discover techniques and information to solve problems) and combining them with Web-based information and tools. Briefly…

Raises questions about the development of the California Framework for History-Social Science Education. Examines who was involved in preparing the Framework and who was excluded, what was excluded from the prescribed curriculum, and how teachers will be affected. States that the Framework does not give students sufficient opportunities to relate…

Provides a brief historical background for the current character education movement. Identifies mandates and support for character education in California's schools and shares implications of the character education movement for California teachers. Includes a list of California's Standards for the Teaching Profession regarding character…

Describes a curriculum-embedded focus for character education. Outlines a series of character-related topics (justice, responsibility, civic virtue) and combines them with corresponding social studies topics and activities (reviewing the origins of self-government, interviewing community elders) for each grade K-12. Includes reading list and…