Presents a lesson plan that focuses on witchcraft in the Atlantic world. Describes each of the four sections of the lesson that encompasses learning about terms and religious views on witchcraft to the history of witchcraft in New England, in the United States, and the Salem (Massachusetts) witchcraft trials. (CMK)

Describes the Digital Learning Interactive textbook which allows instructors to customize an online textbook to meet the needs of the instructor and the students. Discusses the features and components aimed at engaging students in the Digital Learning Interactive text. (CMK)

Focuses on how to utilize films and television documents and incorporate analysis of these materials within the history classroom. Describes an approach that is applied to traditional historical documents. Explains that teachers must provide background materials to encourage critical analysis. (CMK)

Focuses on using music as a tool for teaching about the U.S. Civil War. States that music was integral to life in the United States and for the soldiers during this time period. Discusses why teachers should use music and how to integrate songs into instruction. Includes song lyrics. (CMK)

Offers background information on Veterans Day in the United States. Presents a lesson drawing upon the "Teaching Talking History" program, "Memorializing War." Provides ideas for discussion and focuses on having students analyze documents to study memorials. Uses the Gettysburg Address and three other primary sources. (CMK)

Introduces a new column that focuses on successful strategies used by U.S. historians. Includes seven rules for effective history teaching: (1) teach with enthusiasm; (2) rely less on textbooks; (3) use secondary sources; (4) explore current topics; (5) use local history; (6) use music and film; and (7) become computer literate. (CMK)

Presents an annotated bibliography of Web sites about World War I. Includes: (1) general Web sites; (2) Web sites with information during the war; (3) Web sites with information about post-World War I; (4) Web sites that provide photos, sound files of speeches, and propaganda posters; and (5) Web sites with lesson plans. (CMK)

Expresses concern that history as a school subject will continue to be manipulated by those with political power and will suffer by being diffused among other subject areas in the curriculum. Discusses the government role in the efforts to ensure the future of a history curriculum and the constraints of integrating history. (DAJ)

Focuses on the use of literature to teach social studies. Explores the various considerations that teachers must address when selecting literature, such as vocabulary levels, gender and ethnic bias, issues concerning relevance, interdisciplinary issues, and the quality of the literature. (CMK)

Discusses the content of a course on the genre of western films that was utilized as a film study and a U.S. cultural history credit. Describes in detail the film, "Winchester '73," and addresses other films utilized in the course. States that the course also focuses on the development of the western genre. (CMK)

Provides an overview of the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools' publication, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century." Reprints the report's curriculum characteristics and goals segments, which briefly outlines content placement. Presents conflicting conceptions of social studies education and questions…

Characteristics of school curricula developed at the provincial level in Canada were studied. About 100 documents explaining science, history, English, and family studies curricula were reviewed for content and quality, which varied widely. Curricula were usually developed by professional educators, and evaluation issues were rarely discussed in…

Questions whether the requirement of more history courses, as called for by some reformers, will advance citizenship education. Explores the questions: Will the incorporation of more history improve social studies programs? Is curriculum reform the most urgent need in social studies education? and Should the nation expect widespread change in how…

Discusses contributions women have made to the growth and development of society in California throughout the state's history. Presents reasons why women largely have been ignored by California history textbooks. Argues that students can benefit from a study of California women. (DB)

Argues that the experiences of U.S. women in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries may be uncovered through the colorful legacy of quilts. Outlines the teacher's task in integrating the study of quilts into the curriculum. Presents an imaginary scenario that illustrates the types of comments one might encounter in a classroom…