By some estimates, over 1.2 billion tons of soil was blown across the Great Plains during the height of the Dust Bowl. The so-called "black blizzards" these massive dust storms caused suffocated cattle, sickened children, and destroyed thousands of family farms. Formerly prosperous farmers, unsure why they had such bad luck, wondered if…

This article describes a fourth grade project involving elementary students, their teachers, elementary preservice teachers, and university faculty. The project focused on a work of juvenile historical fiction, culminating in social studies lessons that were interdisciplinary. This collaboration between educators was made possible by a…

Presents examples of activities and strategies that integrate different areas of the curriculum with social studies. Includes a method for improving student comprehension of text materials, activities for using textbooks as a teaching tool and for integrating data collection and analysis into social studies, and a technique for problem solving.…

Asserts that students need opportunities to solve problems by making concept connections from many disciplines. Integrating mathematics and social studies can help. Includes 20 class activities and a chart recommending which grade levels are most appropriate for each activity. (CFR)

Describes an interdisciplinary lesson consisting of seven activities for intermediate or middle level students. Focuses on calculating monetary exchanges between the United States and Japan, specifically the prices of real estate and other items, and comparing the economies and cultures of the two countries. Gives four activity sheets. (CMK)

Suggests a four-stage framework that teachers can use to integrate creative dance into the social studies curriculum. Discusses the four stages through the use of a sample dance about tornadoes that complements a thematic social studies unit about the impact of weather and natural disasters upon people and their environments. (CMK)

Recommends using the Storypath method for introducing social studies concepts into the primary grades. Storypath introduces children to an imaginary environment (a neighborhood) and, working in teams, students provide details and people. Eventually they face a problem (litter), then bring the story and the problem to some kind of resolution. (MJP)

Discusses the concept of social mathematics in which numerical information is connected to the people and issues of social studies. Maintains elementary students can learn that data represent information from the real world. Includes class activities using historical timelines, data collection, and database computer programs. (CFR)