This article offers ideas for using the local community to support instruction in history. Suggestions range from using a variety of local library resources to field trips and oral histories. (JDH)

States that local history can be effective in helping students better understand the broader scope of history. Identifies four ERIC documents which will help social studies teachers incorporate local history in their classrooms. Provides bibliographic citations and ordering information. (GEA)

Community history units can provide a framework for elementary economics instruction. The DePaul Center for Economic Education developed a unit on Chicago's economic history. It includes strategies for collecting and organizing content, locating resource people, and developing materials. (AM)

Describes the contents and structure of a heritage education resource package which was developed to heighten students' awareness of their heritage through the study of architecture. Designed to supplement a variety of curriculum units, this package utilizes local history resources to enliven heritage instruction. (GEA)

This paper discusses the Pony Express and offers the use of anecdotes as a way to make history more interesting to students. Along with facts about the Pony Express, there are activities for writing projects for enrichment purposes. Activities include: (1) letter writing; (2) news releases; and (3) diary writing. Suggestions are made for similar…

Asserts that the value of using pictures and photographs as teaching aids is firmly established. Suggests rephotographing old photographs to produce customized study prints and develop miniunits based on them. Includes a sample unit outline with teaching procedures and three illustrative photographs. (CFR)

United States state history is a required component of the upper elementary social studies curriculum in all 50 states. Noting that few resources exist on the subject of state history, this book aims to show teachers how to plan a state unit using a culturally relevant, social constructivist pedagogy with connections to literacy, a focus on…

Three students describe how teachers were able to make the learning of history exciting and encourage historical investigations. The use of primary sources of information to stimulate interest in history is recommended as a means of providing curricular differentiation for gifted students, and activities using primary sources are described. (JDD)

Describes the use of primary source documents and maps in a seventh-grade geography class. Maintains that 90 separate topics were divided into 6 main categories for student research. Asserts that the use of primary documents encouraged the development of the students' critical thinking skills. (CFR)

Ideas for an elementary level interdisciplinary teaching unit which were generated from a drive taken in the plains country of eastern New Mexico are presented. The purpose is to show what could be included in a unit on the immediate environment. In social studies classes, students can read a map of the area of the drive. An interest in history…

This paper introduces the medium of cultural journalism as an effective means of intensified basic communication training and community involvement. Part one contains a report of a needs assessment and a subsequent pilot project on cultural journalism that was conducted at an Oklahoma high school. The needs assessment also reports on similar…

Points out the difficulties in helping students understand the importance of history. Presents the educational benefits of using television, cartoons, newspaper comics, pop music, local architecture, and personal archival material in history classes. Suggests classroom activities for incorporating these materials into the curriculum. (RW)

Maintains that environmental education in New South Wales is supported as an interdisciplinary priority area. Describes an environmental education/social studies unit using children's literature. Describes six lessons and presents samples of student writing in response to assignments. (CFR)

This fourth-grade level social studies framework will help teachers develop programs best suited to their students' needs. There are two main sections to the guide: a teacher notebook and a syllabus. The teacher notebook elaborates on the key features of the program, suggesting relevant classroom applications. Discussed are concept and skill…

One of a series of social studies curriculum guides, this publication outlines a third grade course on communities. Material is presented in two parts. Part 1, an overview of the program, contains an introduction, a statement of philosophy, an outline of elementary level scope and sequence, a description of Michigan mandated essential skill and…