Prepared by NASA, this guide contains lessons dealing with space for use in elementary and secondary social studies classes. Activities are many and varied. For example, students analyze the costs and benefits of space travel, develop their own space station, and explore the decision-making processes involved in the shuttle. (RM)

Describes a simple simulation for teaching secondary students about nuclear power as a source of energy by having them role play various interest groups. Game rules, including division of class members into four interest groups, are described. The author suggests eight references that would be useful for the simulation. (Author/DB)

Discusses assumptions underlying human need for privacy. Provides case studies and teaching strategies related to privacy, constitutional principles, legal cases, and decision making. Strategies include role playing, class discussion, writing, and art projects. (KC)

Discusses the use of computers in developing social studies skills. Lists social studies skills as those related to acquiring information, organizing and using information, and those related to interpersonal relationships and social participation. Includes addresses of vendors of computer resources recommended. Describes different software and how…

Reports on a study that focused on Australian students' cognitive and social skills in group decision-making activities conducted in the classroom. Finds that students were motivated to participate in group decision-making and that students' decision-making strategies are destructive when students assert their own ideas at the expense of others.…

Secondary students write a dialogue of an interview they have conducted with a person who could have lived during a certain historical period. Students are provided with guidelines and substantiate answers to their questions by citing sources. Objectives, procedures, and evaluation methods are provided for an interview during the American…

This article presents a way of looking at decision making that can facilitate students' achievement of citizenship skills that may enable them to be more effective participants during and between elections. (AV)

Examines "Decisions, Decisions-Revolutionary Wars: Choosing Sides," an Apple II software package that emphasizes student decision-making about the nature of revolutions. Targeted at grades 5-12, the product covers a broad range of issues. Concludes that "Decisions, Decisions" models an effective decision-making process and has…

Identifies the types of value issues prevalent in today's schools, such as honesty, loyalty and kindness. Realizes that teachers must address value conflicts and help students choose between two strongly-held values. Contends that part of education is the democratic process inherent in a discussion on socially accepted values. (CMK)

Describes the use of a token economy in a fifth-grade classroom that teaches students economic concepts and helps develop their decision-making skills. States that students learn about scarcity, savings, price, inflation, insurance, rent, and utilities. Includes additional resources. (CMK)

Without new goals and novel strategies, black history will become another fleeting fad. The author offers a rationale and illustrates how black history can be taught as an integral part of a modern social studies curriculum which is spiral, conceptual, and interdisciplinary, and emphasizes decision-making and social action skills. (Author/VW)

Focuses on the use of graphic representations to enable students to improve their decision making skills in the social studies. Explores three visual aids used in assisting students with decision making: (1) the force field; (2) the decision tree; and (3) the decision making grid. (CMK)

Computer software that will help intermediate and secondary social studies students learn to make rational decisions about personal and societal concerns are described. The courseware places students in the roles of business managers who make decisions about operating their firms. (RM)

Defines environment with three questions: What is it? What do we do in it? How do we feel about it? Describes developing urban environment programs in Philadelphia and recommends guidelines for other teachers to develop their own programs. (DB)

Illustrates how economic content and methodology contribute to citizenship education. States that economic courses should emphasize performance measures, the concept of scarcity, and risk management. Suggests that textbooks should become less important as instructional resources and that students should learn critical thinking skills through case…