To help educators deal with controversial issues, the references in this list of resources address the types of objections frequently raised about instructional materials, ideas for school policy, the position statement of a professional organization on the teaching of controversial issues, teaching suggestions, and related legal considerations.…

Six criteria to help teachers teach about controversial issues are suggested. They include being prepared to defend the choice of topic, enlisting help from professional organizations, discriminating between indoctrination and guidance, using a wide variety of data, overcoming the compulsion to cover the text, and learning how to evaluate the…

This activity book highlights recent changes in international political and economic systems of the world. Teachers of geography, history, economics, political science, current issues, foreign languages, and journalism will find these activities useful in integrating the "State of the World Atlas" into their curriculum. Two introductory activities…

Decalogue in Greek means ten words. Some scholars think that the Decalogue began as a list of very short moral sayings that existed long before the Bible time of Moses. This lesson presents two understandings of the Decalogue. A biblical view is followed by a scholarly view. Students read through Decalogue versions that are found in Exodus…

In examining the literature on materials relating to the evolution-creationism controversy, it was found that there have been no comprehensive bibliographies compiled since the early 1980s. This paper presents an annotated bibliography on the creationism-evolution controversy including materials published or made available since 1980. (ASK)

This paper describes how C-SPAN videotapes can be used in the classroom to enhance student learning of issues related to diversity and rhetoric. The rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh is focused on in this particular classroom case study. The study of Limbaugh is relevant due to the success of his daily radio talk show, "The Rush Limbaugh Show."…

The subject indicated by the title is pursued in relation to: goals of the social studies; skills, abilities, and affective development; syllabus and subject matter; the concept approach; and values. An appendix discusses pertinent resources. (JB)

Inquiring into controversial issues in the classroom is increasingly important. Teachers meeting opposition might assess representation of the total community in the opposition, determine specific points of disagreement and de facto official support. Remedial and preventive course of action should be explored. (VW)

A national organization of teachers, parents, and school administrators is organizing chapters around the United States to find the best ways to teach about the issues related to nuclear education, to develop new materials, and to research the effect of new curricula on students. (MLF)

This article offers ways to teach students about nuclear war. Suggestions include: (1) teaching problem solving; (2) presenting alternative views; (3) taking a factual approach; (4) thinking about possibilities; and (5) encouraging action. Included is a list of curriculum guides appropriate for teachers of intermediate grade students. (JMK)

Examines professional periodicals published during the late 1940s and 1950s for their positions on the following questions: (1) Should Communists be permitted to teach in public schools? (2) Should controversial material including Communism be taught in the schools? and (3) Are loyalty oaths appropriate for teachers? (CT)

The scarcity of college courses dealing with disarmament is noted, and educators are urged to address the question of arms limitation. Military and economic factors which limit the ability of the United States to continue the arms race are listed, and plans for reversing the arms race are discussed. (PP)

Eighty-four sixth-grade students were assigned to three conditions, and studied two controversial issues with materials representing both pro and con views. Controversy, compared with concurrence seeking and individualistic study, promoted higher achievement and retention, greater search for information, more cognitive rehearsal, and positive…

Notes that it is not unusual for writing teachers to place "religion" on lists of forbidden subject matter. Describes a two-year research project that developed and tested a pedagogy for responding to the unique problems that composition instructors face when intellectually and rhetorically unsophisticated religious texts do cross their desks. (RS)

Describes how a course on censorship taught at an all-girls high school in Tacoma, Washington, drew on current event controversies to initiate discussion. Outlines the course's four units and uses Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" to frame course questions. (TB)