A file management computer program that allows secondary social studies students to store information on cards on a floppy disk and to retrieve all or parts of the data as needed is described. The program will help students develop information-processing skills in locating, organizing, interpreting, and presenting social data. (RM)

Presented is a lesson plan to be used in middle school social studies courses to help students assess whether a statement made by an alleged authority is credible. The plan also shows how teachers can use information processing strategies to design lessons to promote learning of other critical thinking skills. (RM)

Described is a mini-investigation model, which elementary social studies teachers can use to help students acquire and process information when writing reports. In their investigation of a topic, students must ask the right questions, list possible resources, and develop a product, e.g., poster, news article. (RM)

The handbook defines skills which are critical to elementary school students in acquiring and processing information related to social studies. It also suggests teaching strategies for use by elementary school teachers as they develop social studies and/or citizenship education programs. In addition, the document should be helpful to preservice…