Drawing on my work in the U.S., I briefly discuss four related hallmarks of teaching for social justice in diverse classrooms, supported by research on their impact on students. They include explicitly recognizing and working with students' culture as a basis for learning, teaching key concepts in the curriculum through content and examples drawn…

A focus on people--whether community members, students, historical figures, or fictional characters--and their motivations brings excitement to learning. A community's experts on everything from jazz music and Chinese tapestries to building construction can help students move inside history and other subjects. (MLH)

Presents an interdisciplinary approach to teaching history at the elementary level. Suggests that a concept-based approach could expand the role of children's literature in the elementary classroom and bring history to the center of the curriculum. Lists five points to consider when selecting literature for a history unit. (KO)

Asserts that the use of historical novels in the elementary curriculum is becoming increasingly popular. Provides a four-step process that guides instruction using novels. Includes recommendations for selecting the novels, preteaching activities, and enrichment activities. (CFR)

Advocates the use of archaeology and anthropology as tools for delivering multicultural education in the elementary setting. Argues that archaeology demonstrates to children the ways that various cultures have solved problems related to a common set of human needs. Discusses curriculum design and includes two lesson plans. (DSK)

Looks at criticism of the Expanding Environments Model in the elementary school social studies curriculum. Cites recent reports that recommend a history-centered elementary curriculum. States that teaching methods may be the cause of historical, civic, and geographic illiteracy rather than the Expanding Environments Model. (LS)

Discusses the elementary school's social studies curriculum with references to: "James Madison Elementary School: A Curriculum for Elementary School," (William Bennett); Matthew Downey and Linda Levstik's review of research on the teaching and learning of history; and "Social Studies for Early Childhood and Elementary School…

The distinguished teachers and historians on the Bradley Commission on History in Schools suggested the basic themes, narratives, topics, and questions essential to the study of United States history, of Western civilization, and of world history. This guide provides teachers, administrators, and parents with principles of selection and…

Offers excerpts from a California State Education Department publication on curriculum reform ("It's Elementary!") that describes what elementary school students should be learning in subject areas and highlights character education. The subject areas covered are language arts, mathematics, history-social science, and science. (JB)

This study is an attempt both to describe and evaluate the goals and practices in English primary and secondary social education. Data was gathered through visits to schools, interviews with students, teachers, administrators, and others, and examination of curriculum guides, syllabi, textbooks, exams, and other teaching materials. The following…

Presents two interdisciplinary lessons combining social studies, reading, and writing. Includes recommended children's literature for both lessons. Suggests classroom activities designed to teach history and social studies through reading historical fiction. (CFR)

Reviews recommendations from the National Council for the Social Studies which state that teaching about holidays can motivate students as well as teach about cultures. Reviews three videotapes designed for use in elementary schools. Includes a content summary and a discussion of strengths and concerns about each video. (CFR)

Maintains that holidays provide opportunities for teaching about history and cultural diversity. Presents a bibliographic essay of recommended resources for elementary teachers on this topic. Materials include reading resources, activity books, and audiovisual materials. (CFR)

Describes a joint history-technology project undertaken with ten- and eleven-year-old students in an English primary school with a view to developing the cross-curricular theme of Economic and Industrial Understanding (EIU). Outlines the classroom course and discusses the principles of EIU in relation to the British National Curriculum. (DSK)

Asserts that World War II through its consequences still touches lives today. Presents suggested curriculum approaches and topics for teaching about the war to elementary school students. Includes recommended teaching resources and children's literature. (CFR)