In this article we highlight elements of culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy that prepare teachers to work with English Learners (ELs) from a variety of backgrounds. Specifically, we focus on the learning experiences and practices of one secondary social studies teacher to explore promising practices with ELs and effective teacher…

Modeled after a traditional cooking recipe, this article synthesizes aspects of a successful social studies course/program. (JDH)

Introduces articles in this theme issue on immigration. Emphasizes that the objective is to explore Immigrant America in a more realistic light. Concludes that each of the articles contain practical suggestions and data for teachers' use. (BSR)

Describes anthropologist Edward T. Hall's perspectives on time, synchrony, and communication and uses these ideas to formulate improvements in social studies instruction. Maintains that the use of games and other group activities described increases the teacher's ability to provide for the variety of learning styles found among social studies…

Describes how two elementary teachers used closed circuit television to promote debate skills among their students. The topic debated was the right of teachers and principals to search a student's desk if a suspicious situation exists. (JDH)

Too often seen through the lens of the United States experience in the Vietnam War, this article offers an alternative approach to teaching Vietnam through the development of a cultural and historical perspective. Provides a brief summary of literature on Vietnamese cultural history which is appropriate to high school students. (JDH)

Criticizes use of round-robin oral reading and suggests ways in which oral reading can be effective. Some uses of oral reading in the social studies classroom are during class discussion and after silent reading for comprehension, with captioned filmstrips, for vocabulary development activities, and for expressive, audience-oriented reading. (KC)

Presents an instructional model for teaching primary students to understand current affairs through instruction on how to analyze political cartoons so they can identify the key concepts and relationships that are depicted. Discusses goals to be attained and the use of semantic mapping. Describes the instructional strategy, including a student…

Provides a list of 20 knowledge, skill, and attitude goals for teaching about Europe in high school European history courses. Stresses education for international understanding, avoidance of simplistic stereotypes, and recognition of the diversity and power of Europe in the contemporary world. (JDH)

Argues that an in-depth, interdisciplinary course in European history is a positive addition to the typical high school history curriculum. Provides a rationale, brief history, course outline, assignments, and a selected bibliography for an elective high school history course covering Russia and Austria around the turn of the 20th century. (JDH)

Points out the degree of cultural difference between contemporary Islamic and American societies. Presents four lesson plans, appropriate for junior or senior high students, which foster greater understanding of Islamic cultural traditions. A role playing handout and brief bibliography are provided. (JDH)

Argues that current history textbooks present a distorted view of immigration in order to promote civic values. Calls for the teaching of immigration based on original accounts, autobiographies, statistics, and documents in order to present a more realistic picture of immigration in the classroom. (BSR)

Examines the use of biographies in teaching elementary students about contemporary women. Discusses sources of appropriate works and provides teaching suggestions for use with elementary school children. (GEA)

This article describes how to involve students in creative follow-up activities for the six-episode public television series called "Newscast from the Past." Suggested are a class newspaper, mock interviews, time lines, and student-made newscasts complete with commercials. Includes ordering information for the teacher's guide to the…

Demonstrates how reading aloud to high school history students will (1) aid understanding of content and concepts; (2) improve speaking and language skills; (3) increase motivation to read; (4) develop understanding of textbook format; and (5) improve social attitudes. Includes a five-step procedure and suggested books for reading aloud. (JDH)