Describes one fifth grade teacher's approach to the teaching of U.S. history. Reveals that the teacher limited breadth of coverage in favor of an approach that sought to connect themes and facts. Explains that the teacher incorporated language arts teaching, storytelling, writing assignments, and cooperative learning activities. (SG)

Offers a list of books for teachers and children about Christopher Columbus and the consequences of 1492. Suggests that teachers need to relearn the Columbus story to avoid the myths and biased texts of the past. Includes the American Indian perspective of the discoveries, original materials, and biological and cultural consequences. (DK)

Describes a lesson plan for a classroom activity in which students research the causes that prevented the usefulness of early nineteenth-century schools. Discusses the project, a town meeting in which students play roles of community members. Includes instructions, follow-up activities, roles, and materials for use in the project and evaluation.…

Describes a student project for an introductory course in U.S. history in which students gather oral or written recollections of the Depression era of the 1930s. Includes a sample questionnaire and other suggested projects. Discusses discovery of the relevance of textbook material to students' families. (DK)

Describes the first printed world map from 1472. Discusses the style development consisting of a circle of land surrounded by ocean and divided into three continents by water. Includes explanations of the ocean sea, continents, decorations, and locations, and the map's significance as a representation of a unified world view. (DK)

Several activities to help teachers focus students' attention on learning at the end of the year include quiz games, mystery boxes, map games, videotapes, gift making, author birthday parties, yard sales, ice cream science, and summer safety activities. Younger students can create murals, play editing games, and enjoy special ceremonies. (SM)

The diversity of the United States makes multicultural education both imperative and difficult. Multicultural education is necessary for students to understand democracy and appreciate the diverse perspectives of the different peoples of the nation. Ethnocentric curricula can rob students of the understanding that diverse peoples can participate…

Reviews United States-Latin America diplomatic and trade relations from early days of the Republic to contemporary times. Contends that Monroe Doctrine was a way of eliminating European competition for economic and political control of Latin America. Argues that the end of the Cold War may bring a more equal relationship between the United States…

Presents "C.U.B.E.: Creating Understanding of the Built Environment," a unit focusing on a community's built environment. Discusses the interdisciplinary goals of the unit. Provides four samples of activities from within the unit. (CFR)

Presents activities and resources for teaching about the former Soviet Union in the elementary grades. Describes 13 activities dealing with the historical beginnings of the Soviet Union through 1992. Includes a list of resource organizations and an annotated bibliography of children's books on the topic. (CFR)

Advocates enhancing understanding of the present through teaching about the past. Presents units of study that are concept based and interdisciplinary, focusing on life in colonial New England. Includes role play and simulation activities that highlight historical periods and provide children direct experiences. Recreates classroom life in…

Stresses the importance of teaching values in U.S. history classes. Reviews current literature on values development. Presents a lesson plan on John Adams and his decision-making role in the Boston Massacre incident. Asks students to examine the parallels between Adams' decision to defend the British soldiers and their own lives. (RW)

Asserts that teaching about Native Americans is clouded by stereotypes, emphasis on New England tribes, and relegated to a few weeks in November prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Describes a kindergarten class in which children's literature and student activities were used to teach about three Native American cultures. (CFR)

Presents a lesson plan based on primary sources related to General William Tecumseh Sherman and the Civil War. Provides recommended questions for student discussion and writing assignments. Includes excerpts from primary documents and a list of document sources. (CFR)

Maintains that holidays provide opportunities for teaching about history and cultural diversity. Presents a bibliographic essay of recommended resources for elementary teachers on this topic. Materials include reading resources, activity books, and audiovisual materials. (CFR)