In 2 related studies framed by social constructivism theory, the authors explored a fine-grained analysis of adolescents' civic conceptual knowledge and skills and investigated them in relation to factors such as teachers' qualifications and students' classroom experiences. In Study 1 (with about 2,800 U.S. students), the authors identified 4…

Teachers may use a variety of participatory activities to stimulate students' interest in the legislative arm of American government and in their own role as good citizens. Activities suggested include writing a play about Congress, writing to a congressional representative, and inviting a representative to class. (JL)

Research on the history of civic education in United States has rarely reflected the perspectives of African American teachers and students. Through analysis of archival data, I document how African American educators in one Southern state reported teaching civic values to students in a racially segregated society before the modern Civil Rights…

A simulation for the classroom consisting of three elections. This article presents its objectives, participants, duties of participants, how to prepare voter profile cards, sample subjects for voter profiles, how to play the game, and follow-up activities. See SO 504 023 for address of journal. (ND)

Teaching about the Amistad case provides correlations to the National Standards for History, and Civics and Government. An overview of the events of 1839 is given in this lesson plan. Seven student activities include reading and using primary source documents, writing journal articles, viewing the movie "Amistad," and giving…

Many young people live in communities with historically interesting buildings, and tours of those historical sites can reveal much about life in the past. Something that students often overlook in the analysis of historic sites is the civic values held by the people who lived there. The ideas of architecture cannot be divorced from the people or…

Describes several experiential learning projects developed by gifted eighth grade students: drafting a "charter" for governing the classroom, creating a videotaped debate on current issues between generic Democratic and Republican candidates, producing a school newspaper, and researching the history of the school site. (SV)

The first of these two booklets illustrates the presenting of an elementary class play about the U.S. Constitution. It can be used to give young children some basic information about the U.S. Constitution or as a guideline for presenting a program about the U.S. Constitution. The story provides important information about the Constitutional…

This guide begins by stating that the curricular items recommended for civic education classes meet the provisions of Romania's Education Law, articles 3 and 4, and particularly, the educational ideal and the ultimate goals of education. Noting that the process of socialization should start early in life, the guide states that the place of civic…

Presents background information and teaching suggestions for a unit on tobacco reform in United States history. Asks students to compare anti-tobacco sentiment of 1920s with that of today. Unit revolves around a anti-cigarette letter, included, written to President Hoover in 1929. (LS)

The teacher's handbook provides goals, objectives, and teaching strategies helpful to elementary teachers in supplementing existing law-related curriculum materials in the social studies classroom. Intended as a means of actively involving students in a study of law, the first section presents 17 lesson plans for use in grades K-2. Topics include…

The teacher's handbook provides goals, objectives, and teaching strategies helpful to secondary teachers in supplementing existing law-related curriculum materials in the social studies classroom. Intended as a means of actively involving students in a study of law, the first section presents 19 lesson plans and selected student resources for use…

Discusses the use of a mock Canadian city council to help students develop an understanding of their local government and community. Presents a plan for running a mock council, and encourages the use of simulations to enhance the learning experience. (LS)

The teacher's guide provides objectives, goals, learning activities, resources, teaching techniques, student bibliographies, and other sources helpful to teachers in developing, planning, and implementing juvenile justice education programs in the social studies classroom. The first section of the guide examines the nature of juvenile crime, goals…

Community resources, learning activities, teaching tips, field trip suggestions, and other sources available in Carroll County, Maryland, for use by K-12 teachers in developing, planning, and implementing citizenship education programs in the social studies classroom are provided. The first chapter examines procedures to be followed by teachers…