In 1890, the United States government had no agency empowered to control the overall supply of money. Fifty years later, it had a full set of monetary institutions, including a central bank whose structure is much the same today. Further, it had enough experience to know both the promise and the pitfalls of monetary control. How did the nation's…

History matters. It matters not only because people can learn from the past, but because the present and the future are connected to the past by the continuity of a society's institutions. Today and tomorrow's choices are shaped by the past. And the past can be made intelligible only as a story of institutional evolution. This story focuses on the…

Urges teachers to use historical maps as teaching devices in history classes in order to illustrate the changing record of geographic knowledge. Offers lesson plans for using these maps. Directs teachers to sources from which historical maps of this nature may be obtained. (KO)

Asserts that instructional methods used to teach U.S. history often result in a reliance on routine transmission of information. Argues that the benefits that would derive from adding economics instruction to history are seldom achieved. (CFR)

Asserts that teachers and students are ready to go beyond traditional coverage of the interactions of political science and history to applying economic analysis to historical and contemporary social issues. Provides three lesson plans illustrating the use of public choice theory in U.S. history. (CFR)

Argues that the role of economic reasoning can provide a powerful tool for understanding U.S. history. Lists six principles that articulate important aspects of economic reasoning that can be used in teaching U.S. history. Uses the Homestead Act of 1862 to illustrate how these principles can be used in the classroom. (CFR)

The purpose of this article is to: (1) Examine the historical development of the Federal Reserve System; (2) Provide background on Ben Bernanke, the new Fed chairman; (3) Explain the basic tools of monetary policy used by the Fed; (4) Examine the causes of the Great Depression, a topic of special interest to Bernanke; and (5) Provide some key…

This lesson guide is designed to help U.S. history teachers and students in grades 8-11 examine historic events through basic economic reasoning. It lends itself to instruction grounded in inquiry learning, direct instruction, and cooperative learning. It calls for students to be engaged in case studies, simulation exercises, and group work, as…

This lesson guide is designed to help U.S. history teachers and students in grades 8-11 examine historic events through basic economic reasoning. It lends itself to instruction grounded in inquiry learning, direct instruction, and cooperative learning. It calls for students to be engaged in case studies, simulation exercises, and group work, as…

Reports the results from a 1999 survey conducted through phone interviews to identify which states were using assessments in social studies and to describe the types of assessments being used. Finds that two-thirds of the states conduct assessments in social studies while most assessments use objective questions. (CMK)

Describes two books of curriculum materials published by the National Council on Economic Education regarding the Central and East European transition economies: (1) "Economies in Transition: Command to Market" (1997); and (2) "From Plan to Market: Teaching Ideas for Social Studies, Economics, and Business Classes" (1997). (DSK)

Discusses how a better understanding of economics can lead to increased understanding of moral decisions. Addresses what values are not inherent in economics and the positive values inherent in economics. Considers how economics can be used as a tool for character education. (CMK)

This book uses human interest stories to explain perplexing behavior from an economic perspective throughout U.S. history. The set of 15 lessons include: (1) "Indentured Servitude: Why Sell Yourself into Bondage?"; (2) "Do the Right Thing: Free the Slaves, Avoid the War"; (3) "Why Would You Raise Chickens When You Don't Like Eggs? -or- Why Did…

A rationale and framework for community-based teacher education using social studies as an example is developed. The framework includes three types of community involvement: community service programs, community-based courses and workshops, and internships or experiential programs. (RM)

The special responsibility of the social studies program is to help students understand the personal and social issues related to computer technology. Students must understand how computer technology influences us in our roles as consumers, workers, citizens, and family members. Curriculum materials dealing with these topics need to be developed.…