This essay is a critical analysis of elements of the Social Studies Toolkit and related materials developed by the New York State Education Department. It addresses misunderstandings of historical theory and method and the presentation of historical knowledge and information by department staff and affiliates, the consequences of which puts…

In recent years, educators in the USA have emphasized disciplinary literacy as an essential path forward in cultivating adolescents' understanding of subject matter in tandem with literacy practices. Yet, this agenda poses challenges to teachers who have been tasked with its implementation. Here, we examine two expert US history teachers' efforts…

This book is intended for use as a supplement to a five-unit instructional series, "The Shaping of Modern Hawaiian History." It presents information on land use, population and ethnic diversity, government, politics, the economy, and Hawaii's place in the Pacific. Provided are many graphs, tables, readings, documents, and maps, which…

Designed to aid K-12 teachers in preparing a unit on the West, this paper summarizes the role of black cowboys in the Arizona territory and provides strategies and resources on teaching the subject. Section 1, an introduction, contains a list of unit objectives and discussion of instructional methods and techniques. Sections 2 through 8 contain…

Teachers are discovering that students want to understand the politics of the Vietnam War. Faced with the paucity of resources, some teachers developed their own instructional materials. A list of 27 books and videotapes on the Vietnam War is included. (MLF)

This handbook was developed to encourage more effective state citizenship through the teaching of state history. Attention is given to geographical factors, politics, government, social and economic changes, and cultural development. The student is introduced to the study of Indiana history with a discussion of the boundaries, topography, and…

Fifteen major concepts form the basis of the New York State schools K-12 social studies program. They are: (1) change, (2) choice, (3) citizenship, (4) culture, (5) diversity, (6) empathy, (7) environment, (8) human rights, (9) identity, (10) interdependence, (11) justice, (12) political system, (13) power, (14) scarcity, and (15) technology. The…

Long-standing anti-Arab racism in the U.S. has worsened in recent decades, fueled by U.S. military involvement in the Middle East and by the September 11 attack on the U.S. Arab American and Muslim children have been the targets of misunderstanding and discrimination. Following a historical introduction, discrimination against Arab American and…

Ten educators present short critiques on the Fenton social studies materials; appraising the materials, the format of written and visual materials, and the inquiry methods used. (JB)

In a time of heightened concern for useful integrated studies in U.S. history, Merl Eppse's work is at the forefront of quality material. Unfortunately it has been largely ignored. Merl Eppse was one of the first educators to write a U.S. history textbook that presented the history of U.S. blacks in an integrated manner. He was the head of the…

Describes the six model lessons created to coincide with the online collections of the Library of Congress that focuses on utilizing technology and primary sources; two of the lessons are for teacher use, while the other four are self-contained lessons. Discusses the basic design principles and constraints for the lessons. (CMK)

This guide presents strategies and worksheets for helping students in grades 4 through 12 learn about the important contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the achievement of civil rights. The guide is presented in two parallel parts, the first for the elementary and the second for the secondary grades, and both parts are divided into…

Argues that the experiences of U.S. women in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries may be uncovered through the colorful legacy of quilts. Outlines the teacher's task in integrating the study of quilts into the curriculum. Presents an imaginary scenario that illustrates the types of comments one might encounter in a classroom…

Presents abstracts of 10 documents, selected and reviewed from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) that deal with the debate over how to teach history. Includes information for accessing or ordering documents. (NL)

The case study approach for developing local histories to teach the Bicentennial is examined. The approach of one teacher-developed kit is outlined. (JR)