Discusses how the global approach can be used to teach about Japanese culture in elementary and secondary social studies classes. Students compare and contrast Japanese and American cultures. Methods for helping students to become familiar with aspects of Japanese culture are included. (AM)

Through the use of case studies, the classroom teacher can integrate environmental history into the social studies course, emphasizing the historical nature of environmental problems. Students can then apply the resulting knowledge, sensitivity, and awareness to developing attitudes and strengthening concerns for present and future ecological…

Describes an elementary school social studies unit which can help students in grades five and six understand different cultures by means of analyzing selected readings, participating in simulation games, viewing artifacts and pictures of different cultures; and interpreting data cards. The exercises are intended as a general introduction to…

Identifies problems often encountered by social studies teachers in teaching about other peoples and cultures and offers a model unit for use in grades 8 through 12 to teach students about Arab geographical locations, population distribution, major natural resources, and economic and agricultural development. Teaching methods are suggested and…

Describes high school social studies student projects involving a study of local cemeteries. Projects include charting life expectancies, creating slide shows of community grave sites, and collecting tombstone rubbings. (KC)

Suggestions to help teachers organize small groups within the elementary classroom setting are provided, and group task roles and group maintenance roles are examined. Four small-group activities dealing with the American cowboy are described; for example, groups are asked to write a poem about the American cowboy. (RM)

Notes how laboratory experiences can help elementary school social studies pupils understand concepts such as cultural awareness, career education, advertising techniques, map and globe skills, music, transportation, and landforms. For each concept, information is presented on objectives, activities within a laboratory setting, and evaluation…

A rationale and framework for community-based teacher education using social studies as an example is developed. The framework includes three types of community involvement: community service programs, community-based courses and workshops, and internships or experiential programs. (RM)

Describes a unit of study on China for use with students in the middle grades. Students research topics such as Chinese transportation and sports, reproduce Chinese characters, construct a relief map of China, prepare Chinese food, and solve a Chinese puzzle. (RM)

Discusses use and development of case studies for instruction in the decision-making process. Suggests that discussion of a case should focus on questions concerning clarification of issues, exploration of events, evaluation of issues, and implications and application of findings. (KC)

Case studies which can be used in secondary social studies classes to teach students about the rights of persons with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities are presented. Examples of questions which can be used to stimulate discussion of the case studies are also included. (RM)

Discusses ways of eliminating cultural, geographical, historical, and ideological misconceptions about the Soviet Union in secondary social studies classes. The author outlines four topics of study about the U.S.S.R. which he has found of interest to his students. (AM)

Describes a Chinese language unit for middle and high school social studies students consisting of nine modules covering aspects of both spoken and written Chinese. The unit teaches about Chinese dialects and written Chinese characters and combinations. Students read simple conversations in Chinese. (AM)

Suggests a unit to help students confront their misinformed perceptions of Asia. Students examine seven misconceptions: unchanging Asia, the spiritual East, the indistinct Asia, the inscrutable art of Asia, the unscientific Asian, oriental despotism, and modernization as Westernization. (Author/KC)

Presents a model for unit design created by a high school social studies department. Explains that the model has four main parts: (1) a central question, (2) an introductory grabber or attention getter, (3) rich detail, and (4) a culminating activity. Includes a sample unit on the American Revolution. (DK)