The 'knowledge turn' in curriculum studies has drawn attention to the central role that knowledge of the disciplines plays in education, and to the need for new thinking about how we understand knowledge and knowledge-building. "Knowing History in Schools" explores these issues in the context of teaching and learning history through a…

Recommends the use of song lyrics in secondary school U.S. history, government, and economics courses. Contends that using music meets the criterion of cultural literacy in the California History Social Science Framework. (CFR)

Over the past two decades, interest in Holocaust education has grown substantially as individual states, starting in the 1980s, began to mandate and/or recommend Holocaust studies as part of the social studies curriculum. As a result, these mandates and/or interest in the Holocaust have spawned any number of curriculum products, some of which seek…

Contends that studying the opposition to the Mexican American War helps students understand Manifest Destiny and assess foreign policy issues on moral, political, and historical terms. Presents a three-day lesson plan employing a series of primary sources to analyze issues of the time. Includes a political cartoon and eight documents. (CFR)

Describes a historical research project for students in secondary grades. Provides recommendations for evaluating student projects. Includes a student project guide and evaluation scale. (CFR)

Presents an overview of the 1994 National History Day project and its theme, "Geography in History: People, Places, Time." Includes a list of suggested History Day topics linked to broad historical themes. Provides a 17-item bibliography of resources for students working on History Day projects. (CFR)

Presents an instructional unit designed for use in a secondary-level United States history course. Provides educational objectives and instructional procedures. Includes charts, maps, photographs, and student readings. (CFR)

Asserts that the issue of U.S. participation in the League of Nations is usually presented as a failure by Woodrow Wilson and the Republicans to compromise. Presents a lesson that clarifies the choice confronting the United States in 1919-20 and interprets the league as a historic innovation. (CFR)

States that studying the motives and ideas of conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War poses conflicts between individual and civic responsibility. Presents a lesson about the major issues of individual conscientious objection to military service during that period. Includes three student readings and two teacher background supplements. (CFR)

Contends that feature films can heighten student interest in history. Proposes having students create film presentations based on historical topics. Includes a model research unit on Roman civilization. (CFR)