This article aims to broaden the ways we conceptualize citizenship and implement citizenship education in social studies. To do so, the authors explore media texts as a curricular and pedagogical site for teaching lessons about citizenship. Specifically, the authors investigate how media drafts the boundaries of citizenship for Latin@ youth, and…

How can teachers effectively use documentary film to teach history, and toward what goals? This article addresses these important questions by: (1) exploring what we know about secondary teachers' practices with documentary film and secondary students' beliefs about documentary film as a source of knowledge about the past, (2) proposing a…

Presents a retrospective look at the curriculum reform known as the New Social Studies. Defines New Social Studies as a content organization reflecting a discipline or a teaching-learning methodology emphasizing induction, inquiry, and problem solving. Suggests that more parent involvement and student cooperation are necessary before more…

One technique particularly worthy of possible inclusion in the secondary social studies methods class is an assignment in which students interview practicing social studies teachers. In addition to obtaining more insight into actual teaching practice, methods students learn about interviewing as a social studies teaching method. A course is…

Our first public policy goal is to ensure our survival as a free nation through the development of enlightened citizens. If social studies teachers are to develop the goals of citizenship education, an articulated K-12 social studies program is necessary. The objectives and themes of such a program are discussed. (RM)

Reports on information gathered from interviewing 29 urban, midwest elementary school teachers concerning their rationale for teaching elementary social studies. Revealed that teachers view the social studies as a form of human relations training. Citizenship education, inquiry, and principles of democracy were not considered major objectives. (KO)

Educators must decide which concepts, generalizations, and content of multicultural education are to receive priority attention. Characteristics of curricular elements to be selected as foundations of multicultural education are discussed. (RM)

Evidence that social studies is not taught (or taught well) on the elementary level is presented, reasons why it is not taught are offered, reasons why it should be taught are suggested, and proposals for what should be done to revive the health of elementary social studies instruction are made. (RM)

The major objectives in teaching about interdependence are outlined, and how teachers can use strategic minerals as an example of interdependence is discussed. Students must learn that industrial nations depend on foreign supplies of a small group of metals and minerals that are vital elements in these nations' industrial capacities. (RM)

Reprints a series of "how-to" guidelines concerning service learning from the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago (CFRC). Includes a working definition of service learning, a five-step process for projects, and specific goals to be reached at each stage of the project. (MJP)

Analyzes chapters on epistemology and methodology in the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning." Laments the imprecise definition concerning the epistemological nature of the social studies. Concludes the handbook does not clarify this definition and that social studies research reflects this missing broader…

Maintains that geography teachers have a history of ignoring John Dewey's assertion that students' experiences are the best springboard to learning. Describes a set of lessons designed to serve as an introduction to a world geography course based on the concept that students begin with themselves. (CFR)

Uses interpretations of educational historians to explain the uniformity that resulted from the New Social Studies (NSS) movement. Describes the origins of the NSS in two streams: the academic disciplines and citizenship education. Suggests that the uniformity and diversity of the profession is based on a central tendency that emphasizes…

States that cultural pluralism has been important in U.S. society since the founding of the Republic. Identifies four conceptualizations of pluralism, two based on assimilation and two based on the persistence of multiculturalism. Concludes that a multicultural society that acknowledges common core values is essential to the success of the U.S.…

Argues that economic education is an integral component of social studies and citizenship education. Maintains that adolescents are more likely to believe that one's life is controlled by fate rather than conscious choices. Asserts that teaching economic reasoning can improve students' critical thinking skills and citizenship education. (CFR)