The mere mention of the terms religion and public education in the same sentence has both educators and parents gasping aloud. Moreover, although most state adopted sixth-grade textbooks contain a fair amount of content on the world's religions, but it is also true that many social studies teachers choose to omit that content. Black (2003, 4)…

Arguments for and against using social history in elementary social studies courses are presented. (JR)

The importance of anthropology to elementary social studies is noted and forms in which anthropology may contribute to social studies are discussed, including a fused or integrated approach, an anthro-oriented approach, a subject approach, and a social studies discipline approach. Specific projects which exemplify these approaches are described.…

Constructing a matrix model not only offers the teacher a theoretical and practical method for organizing his own knowledge about a topic, but provides a vehicle for the student to cope with contemporary knowledge explosion in a realistic and sophisticated manner. (Author)

The concepts of friendship, rules, property, obedience to authority, truth, promises, and sharing are appropriate for inclusion in values education materials for elementary students. Interviewers questioned 180 children in grades K-5 about their level of understanding of each concept and their perceptions of each concept's importance to their…

Reports on the K-6 civic education curriculum being implemented in the public schools of Brighton, Colorado. The curriculum enhances logical thinking and decision making skills through application of psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg's theories of the stages of moral reasoning. (DB)

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)

Contends that the role of the arts in human education and development is essential. Describes an elementary curriculum project that integrates economics and art education to study visual images of U.S. business. Includes three descriptive figures, a table of subthemes and visual art images, and a sample lesson plan. (CFR)

Maintains that environmental education in New South Wales is supported as an interdisciplinary priority area. Describes an environmental education/social studies unit using children's literature. Describes six lessons and presents samples of student writing in response to assignments. (CFR)

Maintains that Venezuela has many U.S. ties because of its relative proximity and economic significance. Asserts that the Five Themes of Geography can be used to design effective classroom lessons about Venezuela. Presents five activities that include student objectives, necessary materials, and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)

Describes the origins, development, and activities of the Elementary School Economics Project at the University of Chicago during the "New Social Studies" era of the 1960s. Maintains that the program was compatible with the social science and inquiry-based instructional strategies popular at that time. (CFR)

Describes the design and development of a K-8 curriculum designed to encourage student respect for senior citizens through experiential and academic studies. Outlines activities conducted by students at various grade levels. Includes an annotated book list of children's literature on aging and the elderly. (CFR)

Discusses the use of children's literature within the social studies curriculum to teach about other cultures. Includes fiction set in another place, works set in both another place and time, and informational or factual accounts of other countries. Urges use of multiple books on the same culture and foreign books to capitalize on children's…

Contends that students traditionally have characterized social studies as difficult, uninteresting, and largely irrelevant to their present and future lives. Describes the development and use of social studies learning activity packets. Illustrates how the activity packets are consistent with current trends. (CFR)