Traces the history of Arthurdale, West Virginia, a homestead community established by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Division of Subsistence Homesteads in 1933. Includes Arthurdale's community projects, activities, and schools. (RW)

Centennial celebrations provide an ideal opportunity to help young children develop an understanding of the concepts of time and chronology, maps, societal change, and an appreciation of family and personal heritage. Centennial activities for use with first and second graders are provided. (RM)

Advocates conducting oral history projects as part of elementary school social studies programs. Outlines key steps for incorporating oral history projects including determine a focus; identify local residents to interview; practice interviewing techniques; exchange information; and create booklets. Lists research resources. Stresses the…

This booklet describes how students and other researchers can use historical resources in their community to explore the history of their school and to determine how that history relates to community-wide and statewide developments. Although the manual is written primarily from the perspective of the public schools, the underlying theme of the…

From Cajun bayou country to Creole New Orleans, gumbo is a culinary tradition in south Louisiana, a gift from the state's rich, multicultural heritage. There are as many recipes for gumbo as there are households that make it, and every family has its own "secret" recipe. This teaching guide suggests that incorporating oral history into…

Describes a project in which a group of students wrote and published a history of their high school. Lists objectives of the project, such as developing research, analytic, interpersonal, and communication skills and self-esteem. Includes preparing a blueprint of ideas, researching, writing, marketing, and distributing the school's history. (DK)

Suggests using city directories to integrate original geographic research into the classroom. Explains that using directories allows students to think geographically, teaches map skills, and provides the basis for field experience. Provides a case study of the ethnic patterns using the city directory of Sacramento, California. Illustrates other…

Offers ways to use postcards as a tool to teach local history. Outlines steps for class projects involving field trips and student research. Incorporates innovative methods to teach a community's visual history in which students utilize a wide spectrum of community resources. Provides tips on how to obtain old postcards. (NL)

Seven authors contributed to a bulletin about using community studies to teach about the interrelationship of the local community with larger economic and social systems. "Young People and Community" (R. Beery and Mark C. Schug) addresses the need for the social studies curriculum to consider the local community, an area which is rarely covered…

The Llano Grande Research Project in south Texas directs research methods and special projects classes that assist students in developing effective academic, research, and social skills. Students in these classes pursue a curriculum based on pedagogy of place principles and gain an understanding of their community's environment and culture. This…

This teacher guide and student community research guide unit are intended to help students learn to conduct research in their community and to communicate the results of that research to classmates and others. The unit, which can be used in conjunction with a video, helps students learn about community research, oral history, and folklore…

Focuses on three different project approaches used by teachers in the Alberta (Canada) Heritage Fairs. The Fairs are multimedia education programs designed to increase awareness of and interest in Canadian history. Discusses celebrating personal history, early Canadian history, and culture. (MJP)

When students in a New Jersey public middle school decided to learn about their community's history of desegregation through a unique language arts and social studies project, no one imagined how powerful the experience would be for everyone involved. In addition to researching newspaper articles and historical documents, the students conducted…

Describes a history program at the Suzanne Middle School, Walnut, California, in which students create, design, and promote local history activities. Emphasizes the accomplishments of the program, including a rise in the school's state test scores from the twenty-second percentile to the ninety-fourth percentile. (RW)

Questions how elementary teachers can expand their students' views of heroes and heroines. Includes nine activities designed to enhance students' definition of heroism. Includes a discussion of everyday heroism, political and social activity, and how students can be heroes themselves. (MJP)