Provides a detailed description of nine ERIC resources designed to aid instruction about China. Included are teaching units, collections of activities, and teacher background material developed between 1981 and 1984 for use in elementary and secondary school settings. (JDH)

Cognitive studies researcher, Samuel Wineburg, has conducted empirical studies over the past decade to compare the way historians think about primary and secondary sources with the thinking processes of high school students and teachers. Wineburg's research demonstrates the importance of domain-based or subject-specific thinking in the teaching…

A substantial amount of research and curriculum development completed over the past 2 decades can be used to improve the teaching of U.S. history to young children. This digest discusses: (1) insights from recent research; (2) insights from recent curriculum development; and (3) connections of research to curriculum development. The digest…

Teaching history using children's literature, both fiction and non-fiction, is an old idea enjoying new vitality in the elementary and middle school curriculum. This digest discusses: (1) the revival of interest in teaching history through children's literature; (2) research-based guidelines for teachers of history and children's literature, and…

Describes nine ERIC documents, selected specifically for secondary and college-level history teachers, and provides ordering information. The documents cover such topics as teaching about the U.S. Constitution, Asian studies, writing strategies in advanced placement history courses, the Northwest Ordinance, and critical thinking. (GEA)

History instruction must serve, above all else, to develop critically important citizenship knowledge, skills, and values. This book aims to blend recent scholarship on teaching U.S. history for citizenship with ideas on how to achieve this mission in grades K-5. Chapters in the book are: (1) "Teaching History for Citizenship in the Elementary…

Presents 11 ERIC documents selected specifically for secondary and college-level history teachers. Six documents examine the role of history teachers, with materials ranging from a rationale for teaching history to practical classroom applications in the field. Five documents include resources for teaching about the U.S. Constitution. (GEA)

Provides an annotated list of items from the ERIC database concerning the teaching of history. Includes documents dealing with social history, citizenship education, and the teaching of history through literature. Offers instructions for obtaining ERIC documents. (SG)

This Digest suggests ways in which film and video media can be effectively integrated into a social studies curriculum. It outlines John E. O'Connor's "Three Types of Questions" and "Four Frameworks for Historical Inquiry," offering examples of how they might be utilized to present video media in a social studies context. The…

The Internet enables teachers to enhance the teaching and learning of history through quick and extensive access to primary sources. Introducing and using primary sources in the history classroom will almost certainly lead to active learning and development of critical thinking, reasoning, and problem solving. This Digest discusses: (1) types and…

Highlights seven resources for teaching history with computers. Titles include "Technology and the Social Studies: A Vision"; "Using Databases in History Teaching"; "Computers and Database Management in the History Curriculum"; "Social Studies. Microsoft Courseware Evaluations"; "Teaching Comparative…

This book explores the issue of what is feasible in teaching history to young children. It advocates more and better teaching of history in the belief that improving history instruction in the elementary school is a fundamental first step toward improving all elementary social studies. Chapter 1 explores the nature of history and reviews important…

This ERIC Digest suggests that traditional assessment techniques must be complemented by new methods that can reinvigorate and improve the teaching and study of history in the schools. Teachers and researchers agree that recall of discrete information and traditional forms of assessment emphasize low-level cognition without challenging students to…

This ERIC Digest describes what primary sources are and how and why they can be used in elementary school classrooms. Primary sources are historical artifacts with which students can interact to effectively engage in active learning. Topics discussed in the Digest include: "What Are Primary Sources?"; "Why Use Primary…

Argues that if writing is to help students learn, the purpose for which the writing is assigned has to change. Describes the process approach to writing for use in the classroom. Presents an example of this approach as used in a history class. (RS)