Cultural heritage materials can offer rewarding learning opportunities and impactful experiences for students across a variety of disciplines, especially in the humanities and social sciences. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the attendant move to online instruction at many colleges and universities, disrupted pedagogical practices and the ways…

Secularism is controversial in today's political debates, championed by some and vilified by others. So when Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., opened a center for the study of secularism in September 2005, some people worried that it could become a source of friction on campus--yet another battleground in the culture wars that are wreaking havoc…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to share the content and early results from an interdisciplinary sustainability curriculum that integrates theory and practice (praxis). The curriculum links new topical courses concerning renewable energy, food, water, engineering and social change with specialized labs that enhance technological and…

Compared with a couple of years ago, children in many California schools have one less tome to lug in their backpacks. Instead of standard textbooks, they use what publisher Pearson Education Inc. calls its "digital path" to California's elementary history and social sciences curriculum. Since the state school board approved it in…

THE SAN RAFAEL MORE ABLE LEARNER CURRICULUM WAS GEARED TO A SELECT GROUP OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. IT ATTEMPTED "TO DEEPEN APPRECIATIONS, ATTITUDES, AND UNDERSTANDINGS THROUGH INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES, AND TO DEVELOP PROFICIENCIES AND SKILLS IN SELECTED AREAS IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES." THE CURRICULUM OFFERED A…

Notes that in 1985, California eighth-grade students took the first statewide history-social science test which emphasized critical thinking skills. Contends that these skills are teachable and should be a priority in social studies. Describes three approaches to critical thinking skills assessment and provides three examples. Concludes with…

The lack of U.S. students' knowledge of history and geography has been portrayed on television and in the newspapers as a national problem. California's public schools are taking significant steps to ensure that all students have a well developed understanding of their society and the world. This guide for parents answers some of the most commonly…

This guide is intended to assist California educators responsible for implementing the state's K-8 history-social science curriculum and provide practical ideas for bringing this curriculum into alignment with the History-Social Science Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve. The guide puts forth 10 principles…

Contends that learning skills taught in science classes are of equal value for social studies. Discusses a two-step formula for establishing principles, hypotheses, and theories and then validating them. Presents and discusses eight skills used in science instruction that are applicable to social studies. (CFR)

This report contains a curriculum framework to be used in developing and implementing a new social-sciences education program for kindergarten through grade 12 in the California Public Schools. The report, funded by ESEA Title V, describes the framework of the program in the first two parts. The plan is designed to provide students with the…

This paper describes six strategies for California teachers to consider in teaching the state's history-social science curriculum to educationally disadvantaged students. The six strategies are: (1) enriching history through literature; (2) connecting history with other learnings; (3) connecting history to personal experience; (4) adapting to…

The following disciplines are treated in separate chapters which comprise the major portion of the document: visual and tactile arts; body education; music; drama and language arts; social sciences; foreign languages; mathematics; science; industrial arts; household arts; philosophy; and religion. The standard format of most chapters includes a…

Describes the conflict between the California Framework for History-Social Education and interdisciplinary citizenship education. Discusses exemplary teachers, diversity in schools, privatization, and the role of public education. Contends that, although teaching can be considered noble and unselfish, it is above all a political act. (CFR)

The goals, guidelines, policies, and philosophies of the California public schools for elementary through secondary social science education programs are reflected in this document. The framework presented illustrates ways in which the adoption of instructional materials and the development of curricula may be implemented. In addition to outlining…

This handbook outlines the grade 6 course entitled "Our World, Its Diverse Peoples, and Their Societies." A statement of the California philosophy of history-social studies education precedes the handbook's three sections. The first two sections present major goals of the overall program, an overview of social studies content for grades…