Discusses various elementary school projects to foster global awareness in students. In one social studies classroom, students discuss latest news headlines, write in their new update journals, and construct globes of the earth. (KC)

Socio-civic elements basic to society are the imperative for a social studies program emphasizing process skills, human understanding, cultural goals, population problems, environmental protection, peace education, political responsiveness, interdisciplinary approaches, futures, and globalism. (Author/ND)

A survey of 59 Northeastern California high schools revealed that less than 40 percent have a required world geography course. Most of the high schools are offering some type of world view course; however, these courses are not meeting the new California state guidelines. They lack an interdisciplinary perspective. (RM)

Presents a working definition of the concept of conflict and considers this phenomena from a political science, psychological, and historical perspective. Discusses conflict in terms of its nature and origin, universality, dynamics, development, and resolution. Includes a student activity illustrating each of these components. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan that introduces the concept of diplomacy and provides students with opportunities to examine the ways in which United States interests are communicated to other governments. Outlines various diplomatic tools (summits, treaties, military action, sanctions) and asks students to identify and analyze relevant current events.…

Presents a lesson plan that is designed to engage school staff in thinking about, developing, and sharing their conception of what it means to be a "global school." Staff is divided into small groups with an emphasis on diversity. These groups then discuss and draw illustrations of global school models. (MJP)

Maintains that in an increasingly multicultural and globally interdependent world, learning to value diversity will become a curriculum imperative. Outlines two activities designed to facilitate this goal. The activities consist of students examining either random facts or visual images that reflect global perspectives, and responding to…

Discusses some of the instructional approaches advocated by the California International Studies Project (CISP). CISP proposes integrating global perspectives throughout the entire curriculum. They recommend examining the interdependence between different countries, resources, social issues, and academic subjects. Includes a complete list of CISP…

Presents a lesson plan designed to create an understanding of the concepts of interdependence and cross-cultural communication. Students are divided into groups. Each group is given an envelope containing materials insufficient to complete their task (providing food, clothing, and shelter for the populace). They must negotiate with the other…

Explains a method for teaching current events that helps students understand an event's setting, character, vocabulary, and plot. Provides a lesson that approaches the Persian Gulf crisis as a living novel. Uses news stories for information. Includes review questions, suggested activities, and a Middle Eastern parable. (CH)

Defines "authenticity" in learning as the cumulation of the following components: higher-order thinking, depth of knowledge, substantive conversation, and connections to the world beyond the classroom. Includes a sample lesson plan incorporating these elements into a study of global trends. The lesson plan includes brainstorming, student research…

Maintains that if students are to make informed and prudent judgments about the international role of the United States and its foreign policy they need to understand the major elements of international relations and how world affairs affect them. Connects this goal to the National Standards for Civics and Government. (MJP)

Urges social studies teachers to help students understand and identify sociocentric, national bias in the news media. Illustrates how the media fosters "us versus them" thinking and how word choice often reflects bias. Outlines activities to help students recognize bias. Provides weak and strong examples of students' analyses of bias in news…

Maintains that the explosion of communications technology represents both content and method for social studies courses. Praises the International Negotiation Project (INP) as an educational resource that incorporates both. The INP is a computer-assisted simulation of international negotiation and foreign policy decision making. (MJP)