Human dignity is a complex, though essential, concept for students to master. Inserting human dignity into existing curricula provides students with more opportunities to consider the problems of vulnerable classmates and the status of human dignity and rights in the United States and around the world. Using parts of the US modern Civil Rights…

High quality teaching involves deep content knowledge, understanding students and their learning processes, and complex skills of teaching and assessment. Students who experience high quality teaching tend to achieve higher annual growth rates. This study used a descriptive, qualitative research model to explore excellence in social studies…

This article describes the design of a social studies unit about the Johnstown Flood of 1889 with a particular emphasis on how specific unit resources engaged middle school students in learning about the geographical and historical context of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. We also report on how the resources supported the teaching and learning of the…

This article addresses how far educational institutions have come in designing authentic and meaningful curricula for teaching the Holocaust at the secondary level. Examined in this article are the historical development of Holocaust education in the United States, with a focus on the state of Illinois as a case study, what contributes to the…

Many school districts across North America have turned to a framework for curriculum design and instruction called "Understanding by Design." Included in the framework is a call for teachers to create "essential questions" that provocatively ask students to consider and learn the "big ideas and core processes within the…

A look at what students think about suggests that real social thinkers could be developed if students are provided with a breadth of knowledge to think about, a variety of models to use to begin thinking about it, and then are permitted to think. (Author/KM)

Defines "Theme Study" with three essential elements: use of broad, powerful ideas; inquiry-based approaches to curricula; and a community of inquiry of students and teacher. Shares experiences in applying these elements and discusses essential aspects of classroom instruction. (DSK)

The six stages of citizenship development through which a child passes from the time of birth are discussed, and the teaching methods and curriculum for citizenship education that are appropriate at the various levels are described. (RM)

Criticizes schooling for showing student progress toward developing questioning skills. Suggests that a student-centered classroom can give students the freedom to ask substantive questions and empower them to control their own learning. Describes how student questions can be utilized in the classroom. Urges teachers to avoid imposing knowledge on…

Discusses the rationale for cooperative learning and examines the teacher's role in creating groups. Provides examples of cooperative learning experiences in an integrated unit and as applied to computer education. Lists the advantages of using cooperative learning, while noting its pitfalls. Cautions that cooperative learning should be used in…

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)

Asserts that the study of geography promotes spatial skills and increases awareness of the significance of location and place. Maintains that novels are good resources for geographic instruction. Provides geographic content reviews and suggested instructional methods for using two novels, "Old Yeller" and "Prairie Songs." (CFR)

Maintains that the nature and role of geography within social studies has been a major area of debate since 1916. Asserts that geography relies too heavily on rote memorization of facts and neglects geographic thinking. Contends that geography teachers share the blame for this and must change their teaching and evaluation methods. (CFR)

Asserts that social studies teacher educators can develop future teachers' commitment to student service learning. Describes and reports on a study of a community service-learning program for elementary preservice social studies teachers. (CFR)