Political history lends itself to traditional patterns of teaching and learning in social studies such as students memorizing facts presented in lectures or textbooks. This article presents a recurring activity structure for teaching U.S. political history--Consensus Circle Presidential Rating (CCPR)--which requires students to read across…

Graphic organizers offer visual models that equip teachers and students with tools, concepts, and language to organize, understand, and apply information. Many teachers, concerned that social studies tends to overwhelm students, feel social studies is viewed as a complex and confusing subject unrelated to the contemporary world. Graphic organizers…

Lewis, Clark, and the Corps of Discovery traveled westward from 1803 to 1806; therefore, the bicentennial of the expedition is being celebrated from 2003 until 2006. Students and teachers celebrating the bicentennial and Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase in 1803 can use social studies classes to help them connect with their community and to reach a…

Illustrates how the ideas of classical economists Adam Smith, Thomas Robert Malthus, David Ricardo, and John Stewart Mill are excellent sources for the contemporary social studies teacher. Suggests classroom applications to be used in conjunction with explanation of the economic principles of each of the above-named theorists. (AEM)

Outlines a project in which the Paterson Silk Strike of 1913 is used to teach about gathering information from primary sources. Includes suggestions for using this project as a model for analyzing historical events in any location. Emphasizes importance of having students draw conclusions from primary sources. (BSR)

Describes the experiences of a sixth grade history class in learning about archaeology by planning and executing a small local dig. Offers advice on class preparation, excavation procedures, follow-up work, and the display of artifacts. Includes eight photographs of classroom and field work activities. (AEM)

States that children's literature is an excellent resource for presenting a deeper perspective of the lifestyle of blacks before the Civil Rights era. Discusses four specific books that can be used to teach a unit of instruction on this topic. Includes suggestions for class activities. (AEM)

Presents a method that enables students to assess political cartoons and record their findings in written form. Suggests guidelines for cartoon evaluation as well as questions which help organize interpretations. Includes three political cartoons and descriptions of how they might be used in the classroom. (GEA)

Describes a "Generic Model for Planning Expository Lessons" for improving the lecture--discussion method used by most history teachers. The model is based on a lesson format developed by John J. Patrick and Richard Remy and uses a five-step procedure employing a variety of approaches to expository teaching. (BSR)

Presents a scheme for teaching about Australia which uses the similarities and differences between that country and the United States as an organizational structure. Identifies Australian literature, which is appropriate for supplementing text material, and includes a chart of concepts that can be used for comparing and contrasting the countries.…

Describes how the history of flight can be used to encourage elementary school children to read, discuss, and do research on an aviation topic. Outlines several activities that can be used to encourage student interest. (GEA)

Advocates the use of primary sources to increase student interest and learning. Includes suggestions for using local resources in such a program and provides a sample lesson plan. Discusses the importance of student work with unedited materials as opposed to secondary sources. (GEA)

Presents a model for teaching a multicultural high school history course. Discusses the need for such a course and its limitations if the school is not committed to an overall multicultural program. Includes a sample course syllabus and suggestions for activities. (GEA)

Describes how an elementary school used the celebration of its 75th anniversary to promote social studies instruction. Includes activity ideas and step-by-step instructions for developing a celebration of school heritage. (JDH)

Describes how a group of fourth grade teachers culminated their state history instruction with independent and small group projects which became a "mini museum." Includes practical information for securing parental assistance and press coverage. (JDH)