The question about the degree of development of primary education in the Don in the XIX century remains controversial among historians. Archival documents and testimonies of contemporaries allow us to cover this question in completely different ways (both quotes in the title are taken from them). The article attempts to summarize statistical…

Discusses a cuneiform Babylonian tablet from about 500 B.C., the earliest extant world map. Explores bases for contemporary interpretation of the map. Observes that the map contains representations found in later maps. Suggests that modern views of the world are no less culturally laden than much earlier perspectives were. (SG)

Asserts that the study of history involves more than the passive absorption facts, dates, names, and places. Maintains that real historical understanding requires students to engage in historical thinking, to raise questions, and to marshal evidence. Describes skills for five types of historical thinking. (CFR)

This article describes the development process and products of a two-year project designed to improve basic skills instruction in existing secondary social studies courses. Includes a sample lesson plan and student handouts. (JDH)

The history of formal mathematical proofs is sketched out, starting with the Greeks. Included in this document is a chronological guide to mathematics and the world, highlighting major events in the world and important mathematicians in corresponding times. (MP)

Observes that Native Americans have been replaced almost entirely in North America by the descendants of European immigrants. Discusses the differing ecological histories of Europe and the Americas. Identifies some of the plants, animals, and pathogens that were exchanged between Europe and the Americas as a result of Columbus' and other…

Reports results of a survey of professional literature, curriculum guides, textbook advertisements, and newspaper articles from World War II era in order to assess response of social studies educators to crisis of World War II and effect of the war on the social studies curriculum. Concludes that rapid curriculum change resulted in response to the…

Educators can construct practices that provoke processes of remembrance to alter the way the past is made present in desires, plans, and actions. The paper highlights the collective aspect of living memory to emphasize the organized, nonidiosyncratic quality of such memories. Four historical events are examined. (SM)

This occasional paper discusses and examines the role of history as a link between the past and the future. The paper advocates one of the tasks of historians is to keep the present in reasonable touch with the past and with the hope of helping the present to accept and understand the future when it comes. The report cites the declining enrollment…

Describes how a role-playing approach may be used to capture the style, flavor, and conversation of nineteenth-century British life through the staging of a Victorian tea. Examines the economic, social, and cultural questions addressed through the technique. Also discusses evaluation and student impact and recommends the activity for any…

The latest epidemic, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is ending an unprecedented interval of optimism about medicine's ability to conquer illness. (MSE)

Examines the representation of South Africa in geography and history textbooks currently being used in American schools. Asserts that these books are flawed with misleading, inaccurate, and racist texts and illustration. Offers recommendations for revising the view American students are given of South Africa. (KH)

The purpose of this report is: (1) To point out the features of a number of manipulative supplemental resources for history and social studies teachers; and (2) to show how similarly manipulative professional development workshops propagate the distorted content and recommended teaching practices of such materials to teachers and their…

Urges that the search for origins of European exploration extend to Africa and East Asia and their international trade. Cites contributions of India and the Arabs, Chinese, and Malaysians. Emphasizes the importance of mathematics, navigation, and sailing technology. Argues that without these contributions the European voyages would not have been…

Argues for recognition that teaching about the voyages of Columbus is presented from a European perspective. Reminds teachers to take a multidimensional approach that recognizes the Native American and African-American points of view. Examines the long-range demographic, cultural, political, economic, dietary, and labor redividing consequences of…