The digitization of library and archive collections over the last two decades has enabled efforts to reform history education through the integration of primary sources. Currently the Library of Congress provides one of the largest digital collections of its kind. The authors' project, with support from the Library, provides social studies…

In March 2020, schools across the country were forced almost overnight to shut their doors in an urgent effort to slow the spread of the deadly Coronavirus (Covid-19). Within weeks or even days, teachers scrambled to move their classes online, and schools rushed to ensure that students had Internet access and computers. For this May/June issue of…

The notion of teaching social studies through inquiry is far from a new development. With the publication of the "College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History," however, there is arguably a greater emphasis on inquiry in K-12 social studies education…

On September 17, 2013 (Constitution Day), the C3 Framework was released under the title "The College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History." The C3 Project Director and lead writer was NCSS member Kathy Swan, who is…

What the National Council for the Social Studies'"Social Studies Scope and Sequence" needs to be effective is discussed. A conceptual structure based on the idea of human system is needed if students are to process all the information included in the scope and sequence. (RM)

This checklist of criteria is intended to assist school system personnel in better determining the effectiveness of their educational programs in the area of citizenship education. (RM)

A comparison of the Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) program with eight major goals for social studies identified in 1971 by the National Council for the Social Studies. USMES is weak in knowledge of a wider world, but is strong in real problem solving, cooperative efforts, and community involvement. (Author/AV)

Describes how two social studies teachers designed a website in order to grant the other teachers in their school district access to the field trip database for the Washington-Baltimore area; furthermore, the idea for an elementary social studies website expanded into other projects that were also timesaving resources, such as the Electronic…

The author suggests that community action programs may not be widely adopted unless developers clearly state the benefits to students, reduce implementation time, and answer six questions about feasibility and priority of such programs. (Author/AV)

Describes a collaborative project called "Mystery from History" involving a rural Indiana elementary class and a computer education college class at Indiana University. Explains that the university students sent a mystery via e-mail to the elementary students in which they continued to send clues and questions until the mystery was…

Results of a social studies program evaluation conducted in the Albuquerque Public Schools are consistent in most respects with major research studies throughout the country. Highlights of the study that examined social studies program goals, course content and sequencing, teaching methods and instructional materials, and program effectiveness are…

Profiles three programs that incorporate service learning into efforts to reduce violence. Extrapolates a set of criteria for developing similar programs. These include meaningful activities, skill-based instruction, recognition of student effort and clear expectations for non-violent behavior. Includes a brief list of teaching resources. (MJP)

Analyzes critical problems associated with teaching world studies. Cautions that failure to conceptualize courses has lead to an overemphasis on either general or concrete material and lack of instructional diversity. Suggests methodology for conceptualizing courses. Points out the conflicting demands made upon a well conceptualized social studies…

Criticizes character education programs that tend merely to present moral values to students, believing this produces socially responsible behavior. Argues listing values is simplistic and ineffective. Recognizes the situational complexity that confounds making moral choices. Suggests character education must contend with value conflicts and guide…