"Enlivening Secondary History" is the ideal handbook for busy history teachers who want to do something different in their classrooms, but have little time to plan and organise their lessons. Featuring tried-and-tested practical ideas complete with relevant exemplars and step-by-step advice, this best-selling book is a compendium of creative…

This discussion of the microform publication of primary source material focuses on the area of British history between 1450 and 1750. The efforts of University Microfilms International and Harvester Press Microforms Ltd. are reviewed, and a possible microform series of material from this period is suggested. Four references are listed. (MES)

This brief represents part 1 in a series on fostering the adoption of evidence-based practices in out-of-school time programs. The lag between discovering effective practices and using them "on the ground" can be unnecessarily long, sometimes taking 15 to 20 years! The purpose of this brief is to provide practitioners with a better understanding…

How an introductory political science course called "The Elements of Political Theory" is taught using Plato's "Republic," Hobbes's "Leviathan," the "Declaration of Independence," and the "Communist Manifesto" is discussed. In the course, students contrast the way ancients and moderns differ in…

A historian reviews the process of writing his first historical novel, "Underground Man." Explores parts of the book based on the life of Calvin Fairbank, an abolitionist in Ohio and Kentucky. Delineates historical sources for each chapter, separating fact from fiction. Explains many of the decisions that determined plot and character…

The articles in this special Practitioner's Edition of "Psychology in the Schools" share the application of sound educational and behavioral practices in real school and classroom contexts. Given this emphasis in these articles on the applied use of behavioral practices, the purpose of this brief commentary is to highlight and comment on some of…

The Library of Congress has indexed and microfilmed its collection of presidential papers as the Presidential Papers Microfilm Series, which is now available to scholars and students. Each collection of presidential papers in the series is briefly described. (RM)

Discusses the use of photography as a teaching tool in social studies classes. Suggests that photographs can be used to teach not only history but also ethnic and religious customs and intellectual atmosphere. Urges teachers to stress that the image captured on film limits as well as illuminates its subject. (DK)

Discusses the use of primary resources in the teaching of middle school social studies. Describes a lesson in which students were given a copy of the Declaration of Independence, written in everyday language, and were asked to discuss and evaluate it. Suggests another activity based on Thomas Jefferson's writings. (SG)

Discusses methods for increasing students' appreciation of and interest in history by incorporating the human element into the narrative. Suggests that this can be accomplished by utilizing diaries, journals, oral histories, and living people. Argues that the brief coverage of events presented in texts does little to give students a feeling of the…

Discusses the use of fine arts as sources to enrich the study of history. Suggests that such works will serve as barometers of change, examples of cross-cultural influences, and political messages. Includes suggestions of works and artists from different historic periods. (DK)

Examines sources and limitations of nutrient data and databases, and discusses some educational issues surrounding their selection and use in nutrient analysis programs. Tables illustrating the state of development of methods for nutrients in food, and selected United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) databases. (JN)

To learn about the history of psychology, college students presented past research papers in psychology as if they were the original author, and the audience was confined, in raising questions, to their understanding of the prevailing state of knowledge and social outlook at the time of the paper's original publication. (RM)

Discusses the value of student-created artifact kits as a means of visualizing and synthesizing knowledge about another time. Explains steps to be followed in guiding students on the project. Includes a bibliography, list of sources, and suggested ingredients. Suggests that handling artifacts and primary source materials enables students to order…

Fourth-grade students, wishing to expand upon what they learned about William Penn in their textbooks, sent in questions to the director of social studies in the Reading (Pennsylvania) schools. The director referred the students to sources (some primary) that would answer their questions. (KC)