Given the low turnout among younger voters, it is important to seek innovative ways of engaging students in the electoral process, and a presidential year like this one offers exciting opportunities for doing so. In this article, the author describes her experiences with a schoolwide project designed by herself and colleagues that simulates the…

Social studies and foreign language teachers are undertaking active cooperative efforts at the state, district, and school levels because they recognize that language competence and understanding of the world are both necessary for global literacy. In the future additional cooperative projects will emerge. (AM)

Provides brief look at the history of ecology and defines it. Also discusses the balance of nature and calls for regulation. (DB)

Provides an interdisciplinary unit of study based on Hila Colman's 1978 novel, RACHEL'S LEGACY, a story about the economic and social trials of a Jewish immigrant mother and her three daughters. The unit helps junior high school students examine how traditional roles of men and women impose economic, social, and emotional limits on peoples' lives.…

Describes a lesson that integrates U.S. history and economics to teach students about hyperinflation in the Confederacy during the U.S. Civil War. States that the students analyze primary documents, examine graphs, and participate in a role playing exercise. Includes copies of the primary sources and information on assessment. (CMK)

Presents a high school unit about the U.S. Industrial Revolution featuring the Boott Cotton Mills of Lowell, Massachusetts. Includes student objectives, step-by-step instructional procedures, and discussion questions. Provides two maps, five illustrations, one photograph, and three student readings. (ACM)

Presents two activities from an "Idea Bank for Teaching Germany and Europe U.S. Classrooms K-12." Includes a role playing exercise involving significant individuals from European history and a student project involving cooperative learning about individual European nations. Provides an address for obtaining a free copy of the "Idea…

Asserts that using children's literature to present life stories can reinforce young children's understanding of life span and help them better understand how goals formed in childhood may help determine an individual's future. Briefly reviews and recommends 15 children's books focused on life stories and decision making. (MJP)

Discusses society in the future. Expresses concern over social problems and misuse by the media of terms relating to diversity and multiculturalism. Lists themes for effective instruction in social studies as integration of topics and meaningful, challenging, active, and value-based learning. Urges that self-esteem, mutual respect, and cooperative…