From the very founding of the United States, education's actual influence on American society has not measured up to Americans' belief in education as a vehicle of meritocracy. Shortly after the American Revolution, the lexicographer, editor, and would-be education reformer, Noah Webster noted that in the United States "The constitutions are…

Given the current national debate over immigration reform and the plethora of anti-immigrant policies, practices, and laws, school curriculums should include materials that will allow students to learn about, and reflect on, the impact this debate has on the lived realities of those most impacted. Specifically, teachers and their students will…

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)

Explores a definition of religious literacy; examines the role of religion in U.S. history; and reviews the side effect of neglecting religious history. Examines approaches that integrate religious events and ideas into the existing curriculum. Lists primary source documents. (DH)

Describes a course on the Vietnam War presented by the author to 19 secondary school teachers. The course sought to increase competency in teaching about the war by using readings, lectures, and guest speakers. Concludes that the course was a success because participants encouraged others in their departments to include the topic in their…

Discusses the use of primary sources in teaching about the Vietnam War. The approach encourages student questioning and discussion of issues surrounding the war. Urges educators to be certain that students know and understand the reasons for the war and not just repeat the rhetoric. (Author/GEA)

The thematic approach to teaching United States history is stressed and units are suggested such as resource exploitations, federalism, cultural change, pursuit of individual civil rights, foreign involvement, and the redefinition of national goals that illustrate particular themes. (ND)

This publication is designed to assist secondary level curriculum planners, teachers, and teacher educators in developing a social studies curriculum that includes geographic skills for students' development. The first section lists general student objectives in geography that are considered essential. The following six sections contain more in…

Using the New York state social studies 11th grade syllabus as a guide, the developer of this guide has adapted statements of understandings and has added resources and research questions to give students a better perspective on the role of women in United States history. Five broad topics are explored: The American People (immigrants, culture…

Notes the decrease in programs and courses on women's studies at the high school level and attributes this decrease to the national drive for educational reform. Provides an overview of recent efforts to increase teaching about women's history, and includes an introduction to the theme articles in this issue of SOCIAL EDUCATION. (JDH)

This article illustrates changes in the thinking which have occurred over the past 15 years about how to incorporate women into the discipline of history. It identifies five different phases of feminist scholarship and illustrates how women's studies have influenced the author's and other teachers' thinking about history. (JDH)

Presents an eight-step process for developing and presenting a supplementary unit to help students in grades 5-12 understand in greater depth the story of America's cities. (RM)

The inclusion of information about business and businessmen in history and other social studies courses offers secondary school students an intimate experience with the historical development of American economic life. (Author)

Traces the development of "The Lessons of the Vietnam War," a set of units which cover legal, cultural, and historical questions of the war in greater depth than do survey textbooks. Examples of the 12 topics are "Introduction to Vietnam: Land, Culture, and History" and "Taking Sides: The War at Home." (GEA)