In this article, the author features the "Clearwater," a full-size working replica of a 19th century Hudson River cargo sloop. The "Clearwater" has been serving New York state students as a link to both local history and the environment, helping them to learn lessons about the history of the Hudson River and the environment,…

Discusses three goals from research that can be served by incorporating writing into the middle school social studies curriculum. These include: (1) assisting students in learning social studies content, (2) promoting critical thinking skills in students, and (3) enhancing linkages between students and their communities. Implies student writing…

A middle school social studies teacher developed a community service program to help his students learn by doing and relate to the real world and its problems. Students chose issues of concern to them and performed services in those realms to benefit the community (including studying about and eliminating graffiti). (SM)