Planning a world history course presents a nearly impossible task. One cannot complete a world history course, or even a European history course, without casting a huge amount of historical information onto the curriculum planning scrapheap. An emphasis on the twentieth century means leaving out significant information from earlier times. "But how…

According to the authors, five years ago their school district embraced Understanding by Design as the organizing framework for curriculum. The emphasis on enduring understandings and essential questions led the sixth grade social studies teachers to reevaluate what they were teaching in their World History Curriculum. Together the authors worked…

Literature pertaining to the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) is growing but there are few studies dealing with disciplinary differences. The SoTL relating to History is a recently emerging development. But what use is SoTL for History if it can not be translated into improving teaching practice? This paper examines the process of…

One of the main professional-development challenges social studies teachers face involves adjusting content and instruction to accommodate the surging population of English Language Learners (ELLs). Between the 1993-1994 and 2004-2005 school years, ELL school populations increased 68 percent to more than 5.1 million, compared to a 7.8 percent…

Alternatives to the United States history survey course including the laboratory approach, local history approach, thematic content approach, comparative approach, and interdisciplinary approach are examined. (DE)

Describes the idea of the null curriculum in the context of teaching about genocide. Explores obstacles that prevent educators from teaching about genocides other than the Holocaust. Explains how teachers can begin teaching about other genocides in their classrooms. (CMK)

This paper discusses and explains how one college revitalized its history program, first, by reorienting its history curriculum toward a global perspective, and secondly, by implementing an inquiry approach. Three questions answered by the faculty provide a framework for a brief explanation of the changes necessitated by the introduction of global…

Describes the six model lessons created to coincide with the online collections of the Library of Congress that focuses on utilizing technology and primary sources; two of the lessons are for teacher use, while the other four are self-contained lessons. Discusses the basic design principles and constraints for the lessons. (CMK)

It is argued that what is proposed currently as multicultural education is little more than a series of superficial nods to subordinate groups that often celebrate deficits and disguise the legacy of colonialism, and that a pedagogy of critical analysis of the inequities inherent in such a system is more appropriate. A critical, holistic approach…

Maintains that historians, education professors, and education critics have called for a return to a history-centered social studies curriculum. Asserts that the use of biographies and autobiographies will reinvigorate the atmosphere of the history classroom. Includes a 22-item nonannotated bibliography of teacher resources on the topic. (CFR)

Asserts that the value of using pictures and photographs as teaching aids is firmly established. Suggests rephotographing old photographs to produce customized study prints and develop miniunits based on them. Includes a sample unit outline with teaching procedures and three illustrative photographs. (CFR)

Asserts that music can be used to stimulate student interest and understanding in U.S. history courses. Presents seven methods for using music in the history classroom. Includes recommended musical works and suggestions for obtaining music. (CFR)

Maintains that fiction written for children and young adults can build interest and enhance understanding of the World War II era. Discusses and recommends five Holocaust-related fictional books. Includes an unannotated bibliography of 61 books on the subject categorized by topic and grade level. (CFR)

Contends that, during the past generation, a new social history that concerns itself with the lives of ordinary people has changed history research and teaching. Describes an eight-unit college course in the history of United States sports. Includes a selected bibliography of books for students and teachers. (CFR)

Asserts that instructional methods used to teach U.S. history often result in a reliance on routine transmission of information. Argues that the benefits that would derive from adding economics instruction to history are seldom achieved. (CFR)