Describes an interdisciplinary program which uses simulation to investigate social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of environmental change. Summarizes the underlying process, outlines topics and activities for each of the four phases of the program, and presents one sample activity for each unit. (DC)

This paper analyzes an instructional approach based on a student-designed and constructed model of a city and describes how this approach was used in a college-level sociology class on ethnic relations in the city. The approach is called 'City Building.' The major objective of this approach is to bring social life into the classroom. Students…

In this activity, one in a set of teacher-developed materials for elementary geography, students investigate the selection of recreational sites in urban areas. Given characteristics of four areas of a fictitious city called Urbo, students are asked to recommend sites for public recreational facilities. The personal and social values of the…

This social studies curriculum bulletin is intended as a resource for teachers in grades 7-12. Social studies units are provided to teach students to cope with conflict, resolve issues, and bring about orderly social change. Seven problems are developed in detail: 1) the nature of democracy and role of the individual; 2) the challenge of urban…

Innovative Social Studies: Urban Elementary Schools, known as ISSUES, is a social studies program actively pursuing the profound social problems of our times by daily student involvement with solutions as part of the curriculum. Upper elementary and junior high students increase their understanding in active participation in community problem…

Two elementary-grade activities on geography are combined. The first activity employs a group discussion approach to investigate neighborhoods and residences. Given data about a neighborhood area in Houston, students make predictions and express feelings about future developments in the area. The second activity investigates urban planning in…