Since the 1960s, social studies education in public schools has undergone a series of fluctuations. The 1960s and 1970s were periods of great reform and experimentation; much attention was given to how to teach and the content of process, yet there was insufficient concern for the goals of student learning. The 1980s saw a reaction to these…

Today's students must be aware of local, regional, national, and international issues, problems, situations, and cultural diversities. This paper presents curriculum ideas for involving elementary and secondary students in classroom inquiry processes and in field-based settings in order to teach them to think critically, make decisions, act, and…

Addresses the importance of nurturing culturally literate individuals as a goal of the social studies curriculum. Suggests integrating studies of the global community through a thematic approach using concepts, knowledge, and skills. Provides examples of elements that will enhance multicultural knowledge, develop an ethical sense of stewardship,…

A model for Continuous-Integrated-Sequential (C/I/S) curricula for social studies education is presented. The design advocated involves ensuring continuity of instruction from grades K-12, an integration of social studies disciplines, and a sequential process of refining and reinforcing concept and skills from grade-to-grade along the K-12…

The growing interrelatedness of life on Earth has increased the need for citizens to possess the knowledge and sensitivity required to comprehend the global dimensions of political, economic and cultural phenomena. Global education, a component of environmental education, can be incorporated into social studies in order to link concerns for humans…

In creating a continuous-integrated-sequential curriculum for grades 5-8, educators must raise and answer a series of questions to guide them in their decision-making. This paper raises and answers questions pertinent to the creation of a curriculum in cultural geography. Among the topics addressed are teaching methods, learning processes,…

This document presents a curriculum plan for social studies for each grade from kindergarten through high school. Each unit is designed to utilize community resources in teaching students a global approach. Three possible approaches to using resources are suggested: (1) to introduce a unit of study, to focus students' attention on planned…

Inspired by America 2000, the educational reform initiative proposed by President George Bush, these materials describe a way of rethinking the place of geography in the curriculum. It is proposed that both natural geography and social geography be taught, and that both should be taught in science and social studies classes. Activities to be used…

This document contains information and instruction for teachers who want to include an ECO/SOCIAL Studies approach in their teaching of social studies. ECO/SOCIAL Studies is defined as an instructional/investigative strategy that focuses and individual's attention on the continuous inter-relationships and interdependence between natural and social…

One of a series of global education instructional units, this energy awareness curriculum was designed to be infused with existing social studies courses aimed at students in grades 5-12. Concept-based and skills-oriented, the curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of synthetic energy sources; human dependence…

One of a series of global education instructional units, this curriculum on stewardship was designed to be infused with existing social studies courses aimed at students in grades 5-12. Concept-based and skills-oriented, the curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the relationship between humans and global…

One of a series of global education instructional units, this unit on environments was designed to be infused with existing social studies courses aimed at students in grades 5-12. Concept-based and skills-oriented, the curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the nature and character of diverse global natural…

The program described in this guide provides a method of researching and comparing diverse cultures for middle and high school students. Teams of students investigate cultures from around the world and present findings to the entire class. The team approach enables the class to be exposed to a variety of materials and gives students experience in…

Presented is a view of ecosocial studies as representing one instructional strategy which can be used in the classroom to develop global awareness and perspectives in elementary and secondary education students. In addition to defining the need for and scope of ecosocial studies, this document: (1) discusses the role of the social studies; (2)…

One of a series of global education instructional materials, this unit on cooperation was designed to be infused with existing social studies courses aimed at students in grades 5-12. Concept-based and skills-oriented, this curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of primary and secondary human goals; local,…