Social studies education plays an important role in preparing students for a diverse, pluralistic democratic citizenry (NCSS 2010). While the field has made some gains in addressing the needs of various marginalized communities within the curriculum, there has been very little progress in incorporating LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,…

From the kitchen sink to the U.S. defense weaponry systems, minerals play a role, and this role should be identified and studied by both elementary and secondary students in geography courses. The basic design for a unit of study is discussed and learning activities are described. (RM)

This new curriculum project in the social studies is designed to draw upon a variety of sources, to have students gain political knowledge and skills in such a way that they are immediately applicable, to be a non-partisan, practical course. (Author/JB)

Discusses how to develop a chapter based unit, a very brief planning scheme that enables a social studies teacher to organize instruction drawing upon content from a single textbook chapter. This involves identifying a focus generalization, describing major concepts and subconcepts, preparing performance objectives, and developing key questions.…

Although there is a strong case for teaching economics at the middle school level, there are practical hurdles to making that goal a reality. Academic economists, who are well trained in economic theory and its applications, are not trained, generally, in the theory and application of effective curriculum development and teaching methods for the…

Proposes a new approach to labor history that is to study working people rather than labor unions. (ND)

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 a project at Athens Academy (Georgia) to integrate media technology into a non-computer course on Middle Eastern studies. Class organization, materials, lessons, instructional methods, and activities are outlined. Analyses problems encountered during the course and reports on an evaluation of the course by outside observers. (DSK)

Contends that social studies textbooks do not reflect recent archaeological research on pre-Columbian Americans. Summarizes recent research results and develops new concepts about Mayan civilization. Examines and rates 12 textbooks currently used in public schools regarding how well they incorporate the new research on Mayan civilization. (DB)

Efforts to strengthen instruction in U.S. history and government resulted in the development of "Lessons on the Constitution," a book containing 62 lessons for use with high school students. The curriculum development process used in writing the book is described, and the objectives, format, and content of the lessons are discussed. (RM)