Described is a mini-investigation model, which elementary social studies teachers can use to help students acquire and process information when writing reports. In their investigation of a topic, students must ask the right questions, list possible resources, and develop a product, e.g., poster, news article. (RM)

To promote diverse learning strategies, teacher education programs should use their local environments. For example, students in elementary education methods courses at the University of Maryland spend one week in the Mall area of Washington, DC. They must use all the sources in the Mall to research specific problems. (RM)

Students involved in acting out a role may find it hard to remember what their classmates said; student observers may focus on one roleplayer and not the others. This causes problems in the discussion stage of the roleplay. Solution: videotape the roleplaying situation. An example is provided. (RM)

Intermediate and junior high school students became very involved with this learning activity which involved detective work. Working in groups, students had to solve a riddle based on a sequence of clues. The answer to each set of clues was either a person, an event, or a place. (RM)

Eighteen ways to informally evaluate cognitive objectives are discussed: grafitti walls; newspapers; card sorts; crossword puzzles; visualizing; debates; audio-visual narratives; ABC lists; concept trees; mini textbooks; incomplete charts; brainstorming; checking guides; logs and journals; drama; manipulative events; student-made tests; student…

Objectives and content of an interdisciplinary social studies-art program for elementary children are discussed. A sample lesson and evaluation activities from a successfully implemented pilot program are provided. (RM)

A preliminary activity helps students learn that there are situations that require restrictions on freedom of speech. Students are then asked to imagine themselves as members of a Library Selection Committee charged with reviewing library materials which will be purchased by their school for the next year. (RM)

Suggestions to help teachers organize small groups within the elementary classroom setting are provided, and group task roles and group maintenance roles are examined. Four small-group activities dealing with the American cowboy are described; for example, groups are asked to write a poem about the American cowboy. (RM)

The imaginative teacher can employ poetry to advance student identification with the world community. Examples are provided. The learning objectives which poetry might facilitate are a commitment to removing human rights violations, an awareness of imperialistic policies, and a recognition of the absurdity of narrow, chauvinistic loyalty. (RM)

Presented is a lesson plan to be used in middle school social studies courses to help students assess whether a statement made by an alleged authority is credible. The plan also shows how teachers can use information processing strategies to design lessons to promote learning of other critical thinking skills. (RM)

Studying ethnic music promotes a deeper understanding and acceptance of other peoples and provides an opportunity to study musical concepts. How to choose music materials to enhance social studies is discussed. A brief annotated bibliography is included. (RM)

The magic square technique is a useful and enjoyable method for helping social studies students at all levels to learn new vocabulary. (RM)

For social studies teachers, the challenge is to teach about war by going beyond causes and results and the major battles and highlights historians claim as important. Excerpts from literature and primary source materials and discussion questions are presented to help secondary students study the personal side of World War I. (RM)

Fifty procedures for implementing a variety of skills are presented. For example, to help students predict outcomes, draw inferences, and identify data to suggest or refute conclusions, teachers can have students read to a designated point in a reading selection and then brainstorm various ways the selection could end. (RM)

Describes activities for grades 4-6 to help students develop a base of knowledge and attitudes from which they can approach the problem of world hunger. Activities include studying nutrients; food groups; where food is grown; why and where people are hungry; and how to help solve the world food problem. (CS)