This article examines middle schoolers' perspectives on their lives in middle school. Fifteen middle school students from three middle schools in the Southeast region of the United States participated in a basic qualitative study using focus groups at their schools where they were asked the central question, "If you could change one thing at…

Study after study documents the skills the American workforce needs to stay competitive in a global marketplace, yet increasingly employers are compelled to look overseas for those skills. The authors advocate for a different manner of thinking, focused on engaging students in work that is relevant to the world they see, encouraging them to take…

As evidence of the growing ecological crisis mounts, it is imperative that sociologists speak to this social problem and incorporate a sociological perspective on environmental issues into the curriculum. Central to understanding how social issues relate to environmental problems is an examination of the ties between consumption and its ecological…

Examines two viewpoints that secondary students can adopt when studying world people and issues. First is the insider perspective of the individual who lives and experiences a situation as a participant, and whose interpretations are subjective and practical. Second is the outsider perspective of the observer whose outlook is objective and…

Describes an exercise designed to help students experience the inequities of land and wealth distribution and to raise serious questions about solutions to those inequities. (FL)

"Teachable Moments" are teaching aids about global perspectives in education. Number 1 explores disparity between what people say and what they think and do. Number 2 requires students to compare objects/concepts to illustrate that some see only differences, others see only similarities, and some see both. Number 3 examines growing…

This simulation game is designed to give the student direct experience in conflict and cooperation. This exercise, a two-person instead of a group game, combines the primary elements of simulations--role-playing with a senario and a game format in which strategies have clear outcomes for the players. (SM)

"Teachable Moments" are teaching aids about global perspectives in education. Number 1 describes an activity that lets students feel what it is like to be a refugee. Number 2 involves discussion of why people are hungry, rich, or poor. Number 3 helps students learn to deal with experts' opinions on global problems. Number 4 uses…

Designed to correspond with the similar topic of the American Issues Forum program, this article provides readings, discussion questions, and a map exercise on America's economic interdependence with the rest of the world. The readings focus on world energy interdependence. (DE)

Discusses the issue of terrorism as it exists today and examines progress that has been made toward understanding its dimensions. Suggests how this subject can be explored in the classroom. Dispels misconceptions about terrorism by defining the term, and examines some causes of terrorism and strategies employed by terrorists. (KO)

Designed to correspond with the similar topic in the American Issues Forum program, this article provides readings and discussion questions on America's role in helping to solve world problems. The readings focus on the ethical decision of whether to share our affluence with the rest of the world. (DE)

Three exercises on global urbanization which include readings and graph interpretation are provided. (DE)

Photographs of earth taken by two Landsat satellites can be used by elementary and secondary social studies and geography teachers. Classroom activities are suggested and materials and sources are listed. (Author/RM)

This handbook is a practical guide containing background reading and classroom exercises on future studies for elementary and secondary teachers. The book begins with a rationale for future-oriented education and a discussion of the objectives of a futuristics curriculum. Part II, which comprises the major portion of the document, contains 22…

Presents a two to six day classroom simulation unit, "Survival or Starvation," designed to enhance student understanding of world problems. States that the simulation has been successfully used with fifth grade to adult groups. Provides daily instruction plans and describes several cooperative learning methods. Lists materials needed, and provides…