Whether novice or experienced, writers must come to terms with the daunting task of filling up a blank page, or screen, in an effort to produce writing. Student writers are no different. They enter teachers' classes having confronted similar difficulties with discovering what it is they want to say. In seeking to help students, they devote…

Provides a rationale for why high school social studies students should create children's picture books. Describes the procedure for creating picture books: (1) choosing a topic; (2) collecting information; and (3) writing and illustrating. Provides an example children's picture book. (CMK)

Presents an oral history project for high school students who are asked to select a non-related person to interview about a period or event in U.S. history, write a biography, and give a final public presentation on the interview. Includes a copy of the rubric in the appendix. (CMK)

Describes a unit that focuses on the integration of African Americans into the U.S. Armed forces during World War II. Utilizes primary sources spanning the years 1938-1945. Provides information and Web site addresses for the documents, discussion questions, and information on assessment. (CMK)

Contends that teachers often demand creative and concise writing but do not provide students with concrete suggestions. Presents an approach to writing instruction using geometric figures as models for essay writing. Includes 10 examples of models with essay questions derived from each model's conceptual base. (CFR)

Explains how insects can be used to stimulate student writing. Describes how students can create their own systems to classify and differentiate insects. Discusses insect morphology and includes three detailed diagrams. The author provides an extension activity where students hypothesize about the niche of an insect based on its anatomy. (PR)

Contends that, in acquainting history students with the concept of how people viewed their world, the idea of periodization becomes suspect. Asserts that the film, "The Return of Martin Guerre," is a significant learning resource for students of the Renaissance and Protestant Reformation. (CFR)

Presents a lesson plan based on primary sources related to General William Tecumseh Sherman and the Civil War. Provides recommended questions for student discussion and writing assignments. Includes excerpts from primary documents and a list of document sources. (CFR)

Presents a secondary lesson in which students participate in a role-playing exercise to determine whether or not a juvenile should be remanded to an adult court. Includes learning objectives and step-by-step implementation procedures. Also includes four student handouts representing legal issues, briefing sheets, and a mock police report. (CFR)

A study was conducted to determine whether manipulating the classroom environment to be either apprehension producing (AP) or apprehension reducing (AR) could significantly change the level of students' dispositional writing apprehension. Five student teachers and one secondary education supervisor volunteered to participate in the experiment and…

Contends that teaching U.S. history and law are inextricably intertwined. Presents nine instructional strategies and accompanying examples to illustrate effective instruction combining law-related education and history. Includes lists of recommended resources and a teacher's bibliography. (CFR)

Asserts that the PBS series "The Civil War" presents historical information that can encourage critical thinking by students. Offers a lesson plan based on one program in the series, "The Cause." Provides questions for student discussion and outlines writing assignments based on the series. (CFR)

Describes a classroom study of 20 self-selected, college-bound, U.S. history students in which the students created a story, poem, painting, or other art form after studying a unit on immigration. Includes several examples and descriptions of students' poetry, writing, and other creative projects. (CFR)