Describes seven resources on curriculum development in social studies found in the ERIC system. Among the cited items are journal articles on various aspects of the social studies scope and sequence and an ERIC document on the role of secondary social studies in developing technological literacy. (JDH)

Examines traditional theoretical assumptions about the pedagogy of writing and critical thinking, and shows that they are linked dialectically. Illustrates how a pedagogy of writing can be used as a learning vehicle to help students learn and think critically about any given social studies subject. (Author/MLF)

Encourages participation of high school students in courses relating to politices and government and identifies five types of student political participation that can be incorporated into the curriculum. Activities include political campaigning, participating in decision making, interning, lobbying for a cause, and taking part in extracurricular…

This project is designed to teach students the process of buying stocks and to tracking their investments over the course of a semester. The goals of the course are to teach students about the relationships between conditions in the economy and the stock market; to predict the effect of an economic event on a specific stock or industry; to relate…

Presents a history of world history instruction as it has evolved since the 1890s in the United States focusing on New York state. Concludes that the latest revisions have restored chronology; eliminated any attempt at universal history; decreased the presence of the social sciences; and retained the option for a topical treatment within a…

Recounts a high school teacher's experiences in simulating the Constitutional Convention of the United States. Includes part of the script used which the students designed. (JDH)

Presents lesson plans highlighting cultural differences between the United States and the Soviet Union. Includes background for teachers on the geography, the political system, and the economy. Student materials and suggested activities are provided. (DH)

This book is intended for use as a supplement to a five-unit instructional series, "The Shaping of Modern Hawaiian History." It presents information on land use, population and ethnic diversity, government, politics, the economy, and Hawaii's place in the Pacific. Provided are many graphs, tables, readings, documents, and maps, which…

This curriculum unit takes the form of historical fiction, an original story for middle school students which revolves around the 16th-century Spanish conquest of Guatemala and the Mayan people. Incorporated into the story are many of the Mayan sites, ruins, geography, culture, legends, historical characters, and cities. The climax is set at the…

Notes that writing can be a more effective tool for social studies learning if assignments require students to generate their own thoughts rather than restate someone else's ideas. Offers a two-day lesson on the reform of child labor practices during the English Industrial Revolution. A wide variety of writing activities are featured. (JDH)

Offers a unit for sixth graders on consumer education. The unit includes a collection of activity ideas for teaching about money, goods and services, smart shopping practices, and advertising. Includes a brief list of printed and organizational resources. (JDH)

This self-explanatory, self-pacing programmed text will help pre- and in-service teachers learn to write social studies objectives. The text material is organized according to the cognitive domain structure as outlined by Benjamin S. Bloom, et al. in "Taxonomy of Educational Objectives; Handbook I: Cognitive Domain." There are six major sections…

Presents a flexible two-week lesson unit for teaching high school students about Islam. Provides learning objectives and activities, as well as a bibliography of resources. Includes seven study guides which cover such topics as Islamic prophets, the Koran, Islamic morality, and Jihad. (GEA)

A total of 102 children through 12 years of age and 10 teachers participated in a pilot interdisciplinary social studies-art program. Of thousands of prints examined, 60 were selected for use as instructional resources in social studies lessons. Three categories of paintings were selected: (1) pictures of children; (2) pictures related to general…

Argues that teachers can easily structure social studies lessons to enhance students' thinking skills by using carefully structured focus questions. States that such questions--often beginning with such words as "is,""could,""should," does," and "can,"--go beyond asking for simple recall of facts or shallow explanation, to requesting the solution…