Proposes a method for building biographies with elementary students. Called the "snapshot approach," it encourages students to visualize memorable events in the life of the person being studied. Step one is gathering and studying biographical information, step two is selecting the material to use, and step three is arranging and interpreting the…

Discussed are approaches for incorporating the study of values into secondary level social studies classrooms. Case studies and teaching strategies relating to ethical considerations are presented. (Author/DB)

To motivate students in the study of Asia at a time when interest in the East has declined but interaction increased, the author makes nine specific suggestions to secondary school teachers involving in-class exploration, outside experts, and cultural representatives. (JH)

Social studies teachers should concentrate on helping students develop basic skills. One comprehensive program to help teachers develop these skills is the Wisconsin Design for Reading Skill Development. Activities and tests from the Wisconsin Design are included along with feedback from teachers who have used the program. (Author/DB)

Examines board games, card games, codes, puzzles, and mazes developed by elementary school social studies classroom teachers to help students become more interested in and learn more about social studies. Claims teacher-made games have advantages over commercial games because they are based on the specific material emphasized in the local schools…

Illustrates specific ways to help students think about history within the framework of a lecture-discussion format that postulates selective coverage while relying upon the textbook as a source of information. Includes lesson plans and additional teaching ideas. (LP)

Thirteen activities developed through Project ECOS for elementary through high school environmental education courses are presented. (DE)

This article provides social studies teachers with practical strategies for improving the student's ability to perceive the organizational structure of social studies materials. Sample activities are included. (Author/JR)

Thirteen multidisciplinary, student involving teaching techniques center on the environment and particularly the need for energy conservation, through concepts such as stewardship, scarcity, planning, valuing, survival, and interdependence. (DE)

Describes how social studies teachers can explore students' knowledge of communism and the Soviet Union. Explains how to help students make sense of communism's fall. Encourages teachers to ask students what happened, why, and what it means for the future. Explores course evaluation and the topic's meaning for all U.S. citizens. (SG)

Teachers of history in high school should use historical research as a teaching device. Advantages are that it permits teachers and students to learn together through discovery, integrates national and local history, and encourages students to develop respect for history and historians. (Author/DB)

To help students understand cultural differences, a seventh-grade social studies teacher devised a unit on ethnocentrism among the Iroquois Indians and on textbook bias toward ethnic groups in general and toward the Iroquois in particular. Six textbook excerpts are presented and activities based on the excerpts are suggested. (DB)

Asserts that many who work in elementary education consider social studies to be the core of the curriculum. Focuses on the use of social studies as a vehicle for curricular and instructional change, particularly in ways that promote caring and inclusion. (CFR)

Reports on a study of memorable elementary school, social studies activities experienced by college students. Finds that the responses reflected the influence of the expanding communities curriculum when viewed across grade levels. Argues that experiential and higher order thinking activities were remembered most favorably. (CFR)

Continues an article from an earlier issue that reported on a study of memorable social studies activities experienced by college students when they were in elementary schools. Finds that activity-oriented instruction was remembered most positively. (CFR)