How can teachers engage students in participatory civic education in a state like Texas where education policy is interfering with the Rights of the Learner by refusing to allow educators to support students in becoming active participants in vital democratic processes? Texas Senate Bill 3, passed in 2021, prohibits teachers from directly…

The article describes a semester-long project that draws on Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" as a resource and over-arching theme for preservice teachers taking a content area literacy course. We examine how preservice teachers learn to connect written texts to content area (disciplinary) literacy and consider ways to prepare them for…

Describes an experienced-based economics program for grades 3-6 composed of two interactive components to learn real-world economics in a meaningful and memorable way. Situations are discussed and positive effects are assessed. (TRS)

This article describes a learning activity, the Texas History Walk, in which third- and seventh-grade gifted students learn about life in the 1870s on the Texas frontier. The younger students interact with the actors, seventh graders role-playing characters of the 1870s. Benefits of the activity include its interdisciplinary nature, the cross-age…

Intended to be used by teachers of grades 5 and up, this unit deals with Texas. The unit is built around the seven standards of the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), an outcome-based social studies curriculum guide for teaching Texas history. The guide includes the following standards: citizenship, economics, geography, history,…

Contends that future citizens will be required to understand and interact with people, cultures, and ideas throughout the world. Argues that this goal can be achieved only through an integrated approach to the social studies curriculum. Reviews the Texas social studies curriculum guide and points out how it exemplifies this approach. (CFR)

This Fort Bend (Texas) social studies curriculum guide for second grade covers six six-week periods, and the 11 course outlines include the topics to be covered, the main goals and their supporting objectives, and a materials correlation chart. The 11 topics include holidays, citizenship, you and me, the community and my family, communication,…

This document presents a curriculum plan for social studies for each grade from kindergarten through high school. Each unit is designed to utilize community resources in teaching students a global approach. Three possible approaches to using resources are suggested: (1) to introduce a unit of study, to focus students' attention on planned…

This Fort Bend (Texas) social studies curriculum guide for fourth grade covers six six-week periods, and the 13 course outlines include the topics to be covered, the main goals and their supporting objectives, and a materials correlation key. The 13 topics include map skills, personal, social, and civic responsibility, forest, desert, plains and…

Lesson plans include an application by James D. Laney for teaching the concept of economic scarcity to first graders, and an activity requiring seventh graders to report on the origins of Texas towns by Pat Hazlett. Glenda Hayes and the Center for Civic Education offer activities for U.S. history, U.S. government, and world history. (LS)

This curriculum guide for Fort Worth schools covers grade 6 social studies, Texas history/geography, United States history/citizenship, pointers on how to study, and cultural studies. The guide includes the following materials: a statement of philosophy and broad goals for each content area; objectives organized around broad content goals or…

Engages students in writing their autobiographies through the Family Heritage Booklet, a student-compiled family history social studies project, designed for Texas seventh graders. Includes objectives, materials, and procedures. Contains letter to parents seeking their knowledge on family history. Suggests project boosts student self-esteem and…

Designed for history teachers of students in grades 4-7 and for museum educators, this teacher's manual interprets art and objects in the Hall of State (Dallas) within the context of the Texas history curriculum. Although the guide focuses specifically on Texas history and the Hall of State, it can be used as a model for museum and school…

Designed for use in secondary school social studies classes, this guide provides activities for helping students understand some of the fundamental principles of government as well as its structure, politics, and effects on the individual. Information, articles, and cartoons from the Austin-American Statesman form the basis of the readings, along…

Profiles a 16-week learning unit that led students to develop literacy in their native Spanish, as well as academic and computing skills. The reading and writing assignments incorporated grammar, geography, and local and family histories to create a sense of pride in the students' community and culture. (MJP)