Developing pre-service teachers civically is the oldest need which is known for social studies. Social studies are the most humanistic science between other sciences. It is due to the goal of social studies to focus more on civic issues and its content. Teacher students can gain skill, knowledge, and trait of being a good citizen through courses…

Defines a rationale for teaching decision-making skills and outlines an eight-step decision-making process. Describes how the process may be applied at all levels, in classrooms, and in dealing with students' personal problems. (Author/KC)

The teaching of social studies, it is argued, should emphasize decision making as against mere remembering. A good citizen, in the process of testing beliefs and convictions, has increased his or her fund of factual information and become increasingly skillful at intelligent decision making. (MT)

The complete lesson enables the teacher to relate teaching strategies to levels of cognitive behavior, and stems from the belief that higher levels of cognitive behavior are developed only after a learner first acquires information and then puts that information to use. (Author)

Describes a new approach for increasing teaching effectiveness in the area of social studies by helping teachers recognize and nurture multiple talents in all children (Talents Unlimited). Objectives of the approach are to develop students' productive thinking, communication, forecasting, decision making, and planning skills. (DB)

Describes a simple simulation for teaching secondary students about nuclear power as a source of energy by having them role play various interest groups. Game rules, including division of class members into four interest groups, are described. The author suggests eight references that would be useful for the simulation. (Author/DB)

Proposes strategies and activities for use by elementary school social studies classroom teachers as they develop and implement consumer education programs. Guidelines include defining the problem, identifying goals, considering alternatives, analyzing consequences, and selecting a solution in terms of goals. (Author/DB)

Simulation games are discussed as innovative educational techniques for social studies teachers. Theories of simulation and selecting, creating, and implementing simulation games are among topics discussed. (JN)

Recommends that simulation games be used to teach high school students in social studies courses about contemporary and controversial issues such as nuclear power. A simulation is described which involves students in deciding whether to build a nuclear power plant in the California desert. Teaching and debriefing tips are also provided. (DB)

Critiques current models of problem solving for children, maintaining that there is a chasm between the experiences of real-life problem solving and the idealized frameworks that are presented to children. Suggests the use of children's literature as a means to teaching problem solving. Includes suggested readings, and a list of questions for…

Secondary students write a dialogue of an interview they have conducted with a person who could have lived during a certain historical period. Students are provided with guidelines and substantiate answers to their questions by citing sources. Objectives, procedures, and evaluation methods are provided for an interview during the American…

Discusses the importance of decision making in daily living and of teaching decision making skills in schools; outlines a decision making strategy; lists a sequence of questions as an example of a decision making approach; and presents a decision making map to help in the decision making process. (Author/JK)

A model based on statistical analysis of alternative choices, practical considerations, and ideal considerations can help students develop decision making skills. Students assign numerical ratings to considerations, chart them, and then construct a scattergram to show correlations between real and ideal considerations, for example. Examples of…