On Monday, September 17, 1787, 39 delegates to the Federal Convention in Philadelphia signed the Constitution of the United States, along with Major William Jackson, who had served as the secretary of the Convention. That same day, Jackson received instructions to leave for New York City on Tuesday and carry the document to Congress. All of these…

Forest kindergartens are a new idea in the United States but have been around in Germany, Norway, and other European countries for decades. Forest "kindergartens" are preschools for children ages 3-6 and focus on being outdoors and learning through interacting with nature. Instead of building with blocks or doing puzzles at a table…

In 1878, Senator Aaron A. Sargent of California introduced to the Senate an amendment to the Constitution "Conferring upon Women the Right of Suffrage." Drafted by Susan B. Anthony, this same amendment would be introduced on a near-yearly basis until its final passage by Congress on May 19, 1919. Varying degrees of voting rights presented an…

This textbook is a reader with selections in natural philosophy, botany, and natural history. Readings include poetry and prose. Written exercises are provided.

Provides background on the historical connections between India and the United States and compares their political systems. Offers a number of learning activities designed to promote better understanding between India and the United States. (BSR)

Basic methods of learning, most of which have been used through centuries of recorded thought, are discussed, along with learning as a lifelong process, and ways to enhance and diversify modern education. Numerous learning processes are studied by examining the lives of great individuals who have exemplified innovative and multifaceted approaches…

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…

This article gives a brief historical account of the principal rationales of drama in education in England, pursuing the notion of distortion of the nature of drama itself. By looking at past mistakes, we may better assess the place of drama in today's curriculum. (MT)

Examines the ways in which Jane Addams affected the field of creative drama. (PD)

In this activity for high school American government classes, students examine and discuss six documents concerning the transfer of power to Lyndon Johnson after the Kennedy assassination. The objective of the lesson is to help students understand how power is gained and used. (AM)

Currently advocated agriculture teaching in the elementary classroom has historical precedents. Elementary agriculture curriculum in the early 20th century often followed Pestalozzi's recommendations and used hands-on activities such as nature study. By 1951, 21 states required agricultural education in rural elementary schools. (SK)

This series of self-contained lessons in land use features activities that can be used with any high school world history, global education, or European history social studies classes. The fifteen lessons included are : (1) Rome's Landed Estates; (2) The Gracchian Revolution; (3) The Feudal Land System; (4) The Domesday Book; (5) Mercantilism; (6)…

The USS Constitution, one of the original three frigates in the U.S. Navy, celebrated its 190th anniversary in 1987. To commemorate this event and to study the naval history of frigates, five exercises were created that detail the history and focus on the USS Constitution. The exercises begin with a fill-in-the-blank test that teaches students…

Describes the contributions of Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) to early childhood education. Froebel's design of three types of materials and activities--gifts, occupations, and "mother plays"--are discussed in detail. (CM)

Much of what later became industrial arts originated with the early kindergarten, based on the principles of Froebel as an educational response to economic hardship and social unrest. Emphasis was on activity and social learning, on teaching children how to work and fostering allegiance to the social system. (SK)