This article offers a contextual analysis of contemporary immigration issues impacting the institutions in the United States, in particular the school. It discusses the importance of addressing this theme in the classroom and presents its curricular value in the elementary and middle school social studies and interdisciplinary curricula. Using a…

Lists selected resources for issues centered education. Includes books about methods for issues centered education, reference and student materials for middle and high school students, and tradebooks for elementary classrooms. Lists criteria for the selection of materials that were included (presentation of alternative view, accuracy, and…

Discusses the value of the Socratic method in classroom teaching. Defines the three primary components of the Socratic method as systematic questioning, inductive reasoning, and universal definitions. Suggests that such a teaching method can use thought content to change thought processes and encourage active participation and critical and…

The nonfiction literature of the Vietnam War is accessible and engaging to students, and it deals with issues that speaks to students in powerful ways. In addition, the literature can help students better understand their parents and grandparents and the effect on them of the Vietnam War. A number of teachers who have taught the nonfiction…

Discusses how women's history can be incorporated into western civilization/world history and U.S. history survey courses. Four approaches are suggested: biographical; political; historical; and a family/community history approach. An annotated listing of materials with which to teach each approach is provided. (RM)

Utilizes M. A. K. Halliday's theories concerning the social and cultural functions of language to construct a series of social studies/language arts integrated learning activities. First graders wrote letters to an imaginary mouse in their desks and third graders answered the letters. Analyzes this activity and includes an annotated bibliography.…

Asserts that using children's literature in social studies can enrich the course content and help achieve prescribed objectives. Maintains that well-planned activities based on carefully chosen books are necessary for successful implementation of this approach. Recommends 23 books in 4 subject categories: (1) cultural studies; (2) geographical…

Asserts that most high school students are novices at historical research and have difficulty formulating a research question. Maintains that historical fiction can give students background and serve as a springboard for research projects. Provides a 15-item annotated bibliography of recommended novels. (CFR)