The objects collected and displayed by museums may be connected with famous people, made by exceptional artists, natural specimens, or simple ordinary things that show what everyday life was like for most people. All these objects offer unique ways to learn about life in the United States and the world. In 1996 the Smithsonian Institution…

This student workbook provides information about mass media and invites students to consider and respond to that information. Students are encouraged to use reading, writing, researching, critical thinking, interpreting, and debating skills in their responses. The book is organized into 8 chapters: (1) "The World of Media"; (2) "Television: Is…

This unit, consisting of 12 multi-activity lessons, was designed to accompany a field trip to Walney, a park site near Centreville, Virginia, but may be adapted for independent use. The unit focuses on the task of an archaeologist. Archaeological sites, artifacts, and historical records are examined by students in order to develop an understanding…

This slide exercise is intended to communicate information about the three major monotheistic religions of the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The exercise focuses on beliefs, events, symbols, institutions, and practices important to the three religions, but the main purpose is to impress upon students the many things that these…

Organized in eight chapters, this interdisciplinary resource packet highlights the relationship between art and archaeology. Chapter 1 presents the vocabulary and several introductory activities that prepare students to participate in the subsequent chapters. These chapters focus on (2) "Lascaux Cave Paintings"; (3) "Life Along the…

The Water in Africa Project was realized over a 2-year period by a team of Peace Corps volunteers. As part of an expanded, detailed design, resources were collected from over 90 volunteers serving in African countries, photos and stories were prepared, and standards-based learning units were created for K-12 students. This unit,…

Objects are one way of understanding the world. This teacher's guide offers a method of analyzing objects that, once understood, can be applied in the classroom, on site, or in museums and galleries. Focus is upon artifacts rather than natural objects. Cross-curricular applications and teaching techniques are given. Sample exercises, discussion…

"Crosses on the Lawn," the television program featured in this videotape and teaching guide, covers the causes and effects of the issues raised by racial hatred, and it reveals attempts to heal the wounds of bigotry. The fictional town of Springdale, home of the two main characters, Chaz and Chris, one white and one black, becomes a…

Cites recent survey data on sources of news. Claims that a television is by far the dominant source. Discusses implications of this fact for social studies education. Tables and charts of data on news sources are included. (DB)

Considers three approaches to using entertainment films in history and social studies classes. Provides a list of Hollywood films currently available on videotape and a list of books, articles, and journals dealing with the role of film in society. (GG)

This issue of "Media & Values" provides essays and teaching ideas for addressing the influence of television in society. Articles in this issue include: (1) "Wrestling with Television" (Elizabeth Thoman); (2) "Comics and Culture" (Rosalind Silver); (3) "Society's Storyteller" (George Gerbner); (4) "Five Important Ideas to Teach Your Kids about TV"…

This guide offers an overview of C-SPAN's programming and its outreach to educators. The guide is designed to support teachers and to offer ideas, resources, information, and special projects. Throughout the guide, detailed applications or "best practices" for using C-SPAN in the classroom are included. There are guides based on C-SPAN…

This documentary tells the wartime story of Le Chambon, a tiny Protestant village in France that defied the Nazi occupation and provided a safe haven for thousands of Jews. Using interviews, old photographs and footage, and specially declassified documents, the film [and transcript] examine the difference between being a bystander and a…

This resource guide contains lessons, suggested activities, and 54 individual student activity sheets for using editorial cartoons in the classroom. Editorial cartoons, at their best, are well-thought out arguments about important issues in the news. They are meant to provoke thought, not merely assert a position and, as such, they engage the…

"Same Difference," the television program featured in this videotape and teaching guide, tells the story of a friendship that blossoms into love between Shelley and Vinnie, a young couple with different ethnic and religious backgrounds, Jewish and Italian Catholic. Despite family opposition and personal difficulties, the spirit of…