Like many who entered the teaching profession in the 1970s, the author entered a profession that was in transition. Over the more than 30 years she spent in the classroom, the author has had a front row seat during this evolution. It has been a roller coaster ride at times, but she believes our schools will emerge stronger for it. Who we teach,…

Getting students involved in the process of inquiry takes much more than pointing out a problem, offering sources, and setting them on their way. Fortunately, there are a number of teaching strategies that can be instrumental in engaging students in the process of inquiry. As a teacher of world history in the seventh grade, House of Avalon, at…

Students often report that social studies is their most boring and least favorite subject. As a child, Woodrow Wilson was bored by history, later describing his early studies as "one damn fact after another." Of course, Wilson went on to become an eminent historian, but only after he learned to reach beyond the "closed catechism" of "questions…

Provides an introduction to the Serious-Fun model. Describes how it can be applied to social studies at the middle school level. Addresses some barriers that could undermine the model's application and ways for making social studies more interesting and relevant to students. Lists different activities according to Bloom's taxonomy. (CMK)

Focuses on the use of classroom discussions as a teaching strategy and addresses the barriers to good classroom discussions. Explores the work of two teachers who successfully integrated discussion into their classrooms using two different techniques: (1) a seminar; and (2) a deliberation. Discusses the differences between seminars and…

Discusses the major global trends that citizens of the new millennium must address and why critics question globalization. Asserts that a new conception of "citizen" is required, describing a form of citizenship education called multidimensional citizenship. Considers how to provide schools that are centers of citizen education. (CMK)

Advocates using the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) Curriculum Standards as a central supportive resource for all social studies methods courses. Observes several preservice teachers as they integrate guidelines from the Standards into their lesson presentations. Includes a discussion of their peer evaluation process. (MJP)