Growing up in Loretto, Tennessee, population 1,700, people called it "going to town" when they went to any city big enough to have a McDonald's, Walmart, or a movie theater. If someone is not from a small town, they may not know what type of economic activities a small town can support. Will the town have a police department? Will there…

Looking for social studies adventures to help students find connections to democratic citizenship? Look no further! This book provides just the answer teachers need for engaging students in field trips as researching learners with emphasis on interdisciplinary social studies plus skills in collecting and reporting data gathered from field…

Outlines an approach used in teaching poetry as a craft, in which poems about small town life were read and discussed to help students discover and write down their responses to their own town. (GT)

A compilation of over 50 elementary school activities focuses on developing students' familiarity with the 50 states. Exercises such as word searches, scrambled word puzzles, shape puzzles, spelling bees, match games, and atlas games introduce students to the capitals, major cities, main characteristics, and location of each state. The document is…

By studying the painting "Pittsburgh Memories" by the Black artist Romare Bearden, student in grades K-3 learn that artists use their visual memories of real places and people when they make art. The students also learn how various types of space are depicted in a semi-abstract style. (RM)

Provides a brief synopsis of how geographic features molded transportation history in the United States. Special emphasis is put on the relationship between river transportation and the formation of towns. Included are examples which show how topographic maps illustrate why certain locations were chosen for settlements. (JDH)

Students practiced their reading and writing skills as they made inquiries as to how certain towns acquired their unusual names. (Includes information about the names of numerous towns.) (MKM)

This curriculum project is designed for high school classes in Spanish, social studies, or global studies. The project's lesson plan lists materials needed; poses seven key questions about Mexico and Monterrey; outlines background notes on Mexico; and provides a detailed, step-by-step procedure for classroom implementation during three days. Also…

Describes an advanced college course dealing with urban public policy in the United States. It assumes previous student work in political science and urban life. (RM)

This article offers ideas for using the local community to support instruction in history. Suggestions range from using a variety of local library resources to field trips and oral histories. (JDH)

Shows how local symbols reflect and enhance "sense of place." Provides illustrations and four classroom exercises which help students develop the habit of careful environmental observation and curiosity about their everyday surroundings. This knowledge may be used to maintain and enhance place identity. (JDH)

Intended for students in grades 10-11, this lesson plan outlines a world history lesson that focuses on Baghdad in the Classical Era (AD 762-1258). The lesson plan states a purpose; cites educational objectives; delineates step-by-step procedures for classroom implementation; suggests various exercises (such as brainstorming, map activity, guided…

Designed to serve as a reference tool on city and county government in Florida, this handbook consists of lessons that can be used by schools, community groups, newly elected officials, and libraries. These curriculum materials on Florida city and county governments specifically address the general purpose of local governments. Subject areas…

Designed to remedy student's lack of opportunity to learn about the decision making process at the city or county government levels, this teacher handbook focuses on local government in Florida. The subject areas around which units and corresponding lessons are developed include: (1) the foundations of local government, history, legal roles, home…

Through reading a selected piece of literature and developing an imaginary city, students learn about the functions of local government and the incorporation process. They learn about the basic structure of the U.S. government and participate in a simulated city council meeting. Government is defined as the people and groups within a society with…