Explains how all secondary school subject matter can be learned and taught philosophically. Reviews basic components of a philosophical lesson (truth, values, faith, logic) and describes a classroom activity based on a reading from a Berthold Brecht play. (Author/AV)

Shows how demographic changes in U.S. classrooms represent a challenge to social studies teachers. Considers how the social studies curriculum might be adjusted to reflect current demographic trends. (HB)

This project is designed to teach students the process of buying stocks and to tracking their investments over the course of a semester. The goals of the course are to teach students about the relationships between conditions in the economy and the stock market; to predict the effect of an economic event on a specific stock or industry; to relate…

To help elementary school social students understand how a government works, the article describes an activity which requires a combination of government-related knowledge and procedural skills. The activity focuses on citizenship decision making and includes a mock presidential election. (DB)

The basic and traditional aim of consumer education has been to help students learn how to make the best buy and to use income to its fullest potential. (Author)

Explains how community legal resource persons (police officers, lawyers, law students, court employees, legislators, etc.) can contribute to high school students' understanding of the legal system. Suggestions include that the resource person's visit relate to material the class is studying and that the teacher and resource person communicate…

Article focuses on the interlocking of content and teaching, horizontal impact of social studies on other subjects, effect of curriculum on personality, and changes in cognitive and affective behavior. (Author)

Discusses efforts of the National Center for Social Studies to develop an integrated K-12 social sciences curriculum. Considers the purpose and vision underlying the curriculum development project, the process of developing standards, content themes addressed by the standards, and assessment tasks. Includes vignettes illustrating implementation of…

Time-Distance maps and the simulation game of "Section" illustrate the High School Geography Project Materials. History of the project, objectives, strategies, and innovativeness are discussed. (VW)

The New Social Studies was introduced to elementary teachers in Livingston, New Jersey, in a series of instructional sessions, introducing games and new materials and illustrating possibilities of adaption to meet needs in elementary grades. (JB)

Demonstrates the use of Bloom's Taxonomy in planning participation projects for elementary education. Illustrates the integration of a social studies theme with other curriculum areas. Provides charts that: (1) delineate the structure of a participation project; (2) take a topic through that structure; and (3) list activities appropriate to all…

Discusses the establishment of World Post Day and the objectives of its observance. Provides guidelines for upper elementary and lower secondary teachers to encourage observance of World Post Day across all disciplines. Includes language exercises in Maltese, English, French, and Italian as well as objectives for home economics, history, music,…

Outlines general steps in designing a literature-based thematic unit: selecting a theme, determining unit length, identifying concepts, locating resources, brainstorming and sequencing class activities, and planning for evaluation. Presents a planning chart and a sample unit for elementary grades developed around the theme of life in the rural…

Notes that the curriculum standards under development by the National Council for the Social Studies incorporate authentic learning assessment tasks and suggest ways that civic participation experiences can be included and the subsequent learning assessed. Discusses instruction and assessment opportunities involving citizenship education. (RS)