Confronts the problem of teaching the discipline of history to students unaware of any time other than the present. Stresses the need to focus on what students know, rather than with survey courses that assume a prior commitment to history as a means of knowing. (Editor/RK)

The author humorously warns history teachers that lectures will be boring and alienating to students unless content and presentation are stimulating. (AV)

Reports the results of a study which compared oral history and traditional history methods in the areas of cognitive achievement, affective motivation, and instructional preference. Concludes that oral history was effective in fostering greater cognitive achievement, and more positive attitudes. Recommends that oral history be added to traditional…

This article provides background on the thinking and life of historian Frederick Jackson Turner. Featured is an excerpt from Turner's 1891 article: "The Significance of History." The article includes Turner's definition of history and his views on the relationship between the study of history and citizenship. (JDH)

Military activities have played a part in shaping the nature of contemporary Canada. The main books dealing with recent Canadian military history that might be of interest to high school students are discussed. (RM)

Shows how F. R. Scott's poem, "Laurentian Shield" can be used to teach Canadian history and geography. (RKM)

During the author's first trip to Moscow, a Soviet educator claimed U.S. children were more narrowly educated than in the Soviet Union. The author's conversation with his daughter concerning U.S. schools' negative images of the Soviet Union inspired him to reread American history, examine his own national biases, and confront his ignorance…

Discusses and gives illustrations of how to use comic books to teach history. Explores the historical background of comic books and includes detailed procedures for helping students develop their own history comics. Praises this approach as a way to enliven secondary social studies and motivate students. (GEA)

A teacher recalls how an entire elementary school became involved in the planning of a school-wide celebration and reenactment of the Constitutional Convention. Resource tips and activities are described. (CB)

Urges history teachers to look into the range of tasks they can perform with word processing, database/file managers, and other software. Concludes there are numerous pedagogical uses for computers besides generating short answer tests. (Author/BSR)

Reports the results of a study of the influence of mnemonic strategies on normal schoolwork. Two history assignments were presented; the first required memorization without guidance while the second supported memorization with mnemonic strategies. Concludes that the second assignment produced better memorization and more enthusiasm. (BSR)

Describes how the history of flight can be used to encourage elementary school children to read, discuss, and do research on an aviation topic. Outlines several activities that can be used to encourage student interest. (GEA)

Describes seven resources on curriculum development in social studies found in the ERIC system. Among the cited items are journal articles on various aspects of the social studies scope and sequence and an ERIC document on the role of secondary social studies in developing technological literacy. (JDH)

The article discusses the links between storytelling skills and history, with particular focus on Black History Month, and also lists resources and describes storytelling activities. (CB)

Discusses the dismal results of the 1986 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) appraisal of American high school students' knowledge about history and literature. Explores connections between cultural literacy and students' family background, homework, and television viewing habits. Recommends more and better history and literature…