Getting students involved in the process of inquiry takes much more than pointing out a problem, offering sources, and setting them on their way. Fortunately, there are a number of teaching strategies that can be instrumental in engaging students in the process of inquiry. As a teacher of world history in the seventh grade, House of Avalon, at…

Students often report that social studies is their most boring and least favorite subject. As a child, Woodrow Wilson was bored by history, later describing his early studies as "one damn fact after another." Of course, Wilson went on to become an eminent historian, but only after he learned to reach beyond the "closed catechism" of "questions…

A framework for teaching critical thinking skills is presented, and specific strategies that can be used at key places in this framework are outlined. The framework requires that teachers employ direct, systematic instruction in critical thinking skills prior to, during, and following student introduction to these skills. (RM)

This article describes in detail how the inquiry teacher performs in the classroom and what the possible alternatives in the process are. The major goal is to clarify the components of inquiry teaching and to indicate the exact junctures where major decisions need to be made. The operations subsumed under instructional decision are spelled out and…

Cites numerous research studies stating that the textbook remains the dominant tool in social studies, causing a low regard for the subject by many students. Looks at reading research to provide instructional procedures that social studies teachers can employ to enhance students' understanding of the written materials they encounter. (KO)

Advocates using the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) Curriculum Standards as a central supportive resource for all social studies methods courses. Observes several preservice teachers as they integrate guidelines from the Standards into their lesson presentations. Includes a discussion of their peer evaluation process. (MJP)

Points out there has been an increase in curricular materials for the study of genocide. Maintains that teachers need a rationale for teaching about genocide to help them select appropriate content. Provides examples of rationales from leading educators and delineates three teaching models. Includes curricular resources and an eight-item…