Examines the historical development of the expanding environments sequence in the elementary social studies curriculum. Concludes that the sequence is obsolete because it is based on the discredited idea that children relive the cultural history of their race as they develop. Argues for abandonment of expanding environments sequence because of its…

Describes the evolution and growth in popularity of the expanding environments framework for elementary social studies. Its reliance on developmental psychology and its portrayal of an artificial, conflict-free world suggest flaws of major dimensions. Concludes that the near-universal adoption of the expanding environments approach may sustain its…

The creation of a National Commission for the Social Studies offers an extraordinary opportunity to reconsider the mission of social studies education and move in new directions. Defining what the social studies field should be will help to answer the question of what should be taught. Questions of what children can learn in the elementary school…

A project to develop a sequential and cumulative social studies curriculum for able students in grades 9-12 was carried out by Carnegie-Mellon University in partnership with the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The general goal of the curriculum--to help each student develop to the limit of his ability into an independent thinker and an informed,…

The guiding principles incorporated into this program are: 1) to develop a kindergarten through twelfth grade curriculum in a logical sequence to provide continuity and progression in the program; 2) to have the program enhance the instructional goals of the school system; 3) to link the subject areas that relate most closely to conservation,…

The University of Georgia's Anthropology Curriculum Project (ACP) is viewed in retrospect and certain developments of the project are appraised in light of current school problems. Three questions were asked in an evaluation of the project: (1) can elementary children learn anthropology as a single discipline? (Answer, yes); (2) is there a…

The material in this K-8 curriculum guide is designed to help local Georgia school systems integrate objective knowledge and skills in the social studies curriculum. Two chapters cover scope and sequence and instructional strategies. In chapter 1, 4 main curriculum components (knowledge, values and attitudes, skills, and social participation) are…

An evaluation of materials in the sequential anthropology curriculum project with regard to student learning and teacher training is presented. The project sample consisted of 2,183 students in grades 1, 2, 4, and 5. Two forms of the anthropology achievement test were administered as pretest and posttest measures to experimental and control groups…

One of the major focuses of this project was the revision of existing curriculum guides for grades one through six (the Contra Costa Social Studies Guides) and the development of guides for grades seven and eight. The emphases were: organization of learning activities under significant generalizations of main concepts; sequential treatment;…