Briefly recounts social studies curriculum change efforts from 1955 through the late 1970s. Addresses three key questions: why has the traditional social studies curriculum endured despite serious reform challenges, what aspects of social studies are least/most amenable to change, and which change strategies offer most/least promise of being…

Maintains that the national reform efforts, termed "the new social studies," failed to involve parents and teachers in curriculum revisions, violated norms of local schools, and lacked significant dissemination efforts. Provides two vignettes of significant local social studies change and offers three "lessons" which we've…

Discusses "Project 2061," a reform initiative for science literacy. Explains that reform is needed in science education because developments in science and technology continually transform daily life. Suggests that taking an interdisciplinary approach to science will make the subject understandable to more people. Argues that curriculum…

Describes the development of a fifth-grade social studies program, Man: A Course of Study, or MACOS. Discusses how the program strengths and shortcomings, those of the educational reform movement of the 1960s, influence today's educational reform. Suggests that the role of scholars, the participation of teachers, and the use of media are valuable…

Classroom teachers should depart from the accepted practice of placing the field trip at the end of a unit of social studies instruction and, instead, plan the field experience for the first week of activities. Reasons are discussed, and a sample unit on state government for the middle grades is described. (RM)

Outlines a participatory approach to social studies education called "skills-in-living." This approach defines schooling and classroom work not as preparation for life, but life itself and emphasizes the application of social science concepts and generalizations to the real life decision-making, participation, communication, interaction skills of…

Discusses the unique perspective that the built environment brings to the study of history. Presents questions that can be used to analyze a building to examine identification, form, function, and impact. Suggests that studying a building is like conducting a micro study of the development of a society. (DK)

A model which describes the major decisions a teacher makes during instructional planning is discussed. The theory presented is derived from human learning research that addresses itself to individual differences. (RM)

Compares treatment of global education in three curriculum guidelines: California's History-Social Science Framework (1987); the New York Social Studies Program; and the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools' report, "Charting a Course." Finds the New York program more broadly conceptualized emphasizing all the social…

The six stages of citizenship development through which a child passes from the time of birth are discussed, and the teaching methods and curriculum for citizenship education that are appropriate at the various levels are described. (RM)

Criticizes schooling for showing student progress toward developing questioning skills. Suggests that a student-centered classroom can give students the freedom to ask substantive questions and empower them to control their own learning. Describes how student questions can be utilized in the classroom. Urges teachers to avoid imposing knowledge on…

Geographers need to consider the logical relationship of their discipline to other disciplines, particularly the social sciences. In so doing they will inevitably emerge with a more viable concept of their crumbling discipline, one which should help them formulate normative proposals for curriculum reform. (RM)

Discusses the rationale for cooperative learning and examines the teacher's role in creating groups. Provides examples of cooperative learning experiences in an integrated unit and as applied to computer education. Lists the advantages of using cooperative learning, while noting its pitfalls. Cautions that cooperative learning should be used in…

Argues that economic education is an integral component of social studies and citizenship education. Maintains that adolescents are more likely to believe that one's life is controlled by fate rather than conscious choices. Asserts that teaching economic reasoning can improve students' critical thinking skills and citizenship education. (CFR)

Reviews an array of resource organizations useful for developing, implementing and evaluating service learning. Reviews practical "how-to" guidebooks, motivational materials, and resources for academic discussions of service learning. Formats reviewed include workbooks, field guides, ERIC digests, monographs, and anthologies of articles. (MJP)