Discusses the role of white and Indian women in the history of the U.S. western frontier and lists 35 print and video resources for middle schools and secondary schools. Topics addressed include the omission of women's experiences in history; documents on the female experience; using video effectively; and developing the curriculum. (10…

Presents two interdisciplinary lessons combining social studies, reading, and writing. Includes recommended children's literature for both lessons. Suggests classroom activities designed to teach history and social studies through reading historical fiction. (CFR)

Uses data from the California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS) to analyze course listings in history and the social sciences in California secondary schools from 1981 to 1990. Uses three variables: enrollment, number of sections, and number of full-time faculty assigned to social studies courses. Reviews course offerings and recommends…

Reports on an ethnographic study in which the teacher of a combined third and fourth grade class reads historical literature from the U.S. Revolutionary period to students daily for nine weeks. Finds that study of historical content through literature is appropriate at these grade levels. Reports student enthusiasm for this activity. (SLM)

Offers ways to use postcards as a tool to teach local history. Outlines steps for class projects involving field trips and student research. Incorporates innovative methods to teach a community's visual history in which students utilize a wide spectrum of community resources. Provides tips on how to obtain old postcards. (NL)

Contends that the proliferation of historical data has made knowledge of quantitative techniques and computers essential for the historian. Evaluates various database, statistical, and graphing packages available to scholars. Discusses implementing such technology in the teaching of history courses. (DB)

Contends that, when laypeople read history, they prefer to read biographies--stories about leaders and people--rather than about social forces and ideas. Argues that the most effective way of writing biography is to write chronologically, not to use flashbacks or flash forward writing. (CFR)

Asserts that terrorism, in its domestic and international forms, is a subject worthy of attention in social studies. Provides a list of causes of terrorism, a list of reasons why the United States is often a terrorist target, and three application lesson ideas. (CFR)

Asserts that geographic literacy plays an important role in the overall history-social science curriculum. Provides a lesson planning strategy and recommends using the Five Themes of Geography as a guide when designing history curricula. Includes recommended textbooks, professional journals, and other teacher resources. (CFR)

Argues that history teachers do not give enough attention to preparing students for major tests. Maintains that the responsibility for test preparation should be divided between the students and teacher. Provides a set of six procedures designed to help students review course content and prepare for examinations. (CFR)

Presents a secondary school lesson plan about Jennie Dean and the founding of the Manassas (VA) Industrial School in the late 1880s. Provides historical background for the lesson, step-by-step instructional procedures, four primary source photographs, and three student handouts. (CFR)

Reviews recommendations from the National Council for the Social Studies which state that teaching about holidays can motivate students as well as teach about cultures. Reviews three videotapes designed for use in elementary schools. Includes a content summary and a discussion of strengths and concerns about each video. (CFR)

Asserts that using children's literature in primary grades enhances learning and helps achieve social studies objectives. Reports on survey of educators that identified 10 books, 7 book series, and 7 common characteristics of books or series that led to their selection. Includes chart indicating how these characteristics corresponded to social…

Reports on a European teachers' seminar. Points out the difficulties of making generalizations about history instruction in European nations. Concludes that it is essential to emphasize societal aspects that bind people together and that national history should be taught in a European and global context. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 93 McMaster University (Ontario) sophomore history students about their secondary school preparation in history. Finds that most respondents felt comfortable about their high school education, but a significant number were uncomfortable with their preparation for tutorial work, notetaking, and essay writing. (CFR)