Discussing the Jonestown mass suicide, Charles Manson, etc., this article maintains children must be alerted to the fact that there are people and advocacies capable of exerting the kind of influence that causes followers to act with total irrationality; educators must emphasize the development of strong, questioning minds. (Author/JC)

The booklet is part of a grade 10-12 social studies series produced for bilingual education. The series consists of six major thematic modules, with four to five booklets in each. The interdisciplinary modules are based on major ideas and designed to help students understand some major human problems and make sound, responsive decisions to improve…

Describes a world geography unit for eighth-grade students which focuses on environmental hazards to demonstrate how interest in disasters and catastrophes can provide a springboard for general global inquiry. Benefits of this teaching method and usefulness to both teachers and students of studying about such events are also discussed. (MBR)