Provides excerpts from a forthcoming book on how high school-level history textbooks deal with the development and value of political democracy. Criticisms focus on: (1) these texts' choice of topic (particularly their emphasis on the West), (2) their handling of the political ideas of Ancient Greece, and (3) their representation of the meanings…

Asserts that state history and geography can become dull if the textbook is not supplemented. Suggests that the study of state history should include (1) the student's sense of value in their own region; (2) awareness of significant events there; and (3) an appreciation for the region's uniqueness. Illustrates several classroom activities to…

Reviews the authors experience in teaching a senior-level undergraduate course entitled: "Using a Microcomputer to Enhance Historical Research and Writing." The class used Ashton-Tate's FRAMEWORK, an integrated program that combines filing, outlining, word processing, and other functions. Includes the syllabus and student reactions to the course.…

Describes a grade eight course which focused on the neighborhood surrounding an inner city school. The course's objectives were to have students identify architectural features and their relations to architectural styles; ascertain the dominant style and date of probable period of construction; and make a composite map of the area, showing…

Examines the way in which studying history contributes to intellectual development. Identifies five mental attributes it enhances: perspective--gained from placing people, events, institutions against larger background; encounter--confronting great ideas, personalities, etc.; relativism in a pluralistic world--developed from immersion in other…

Critical reports that history is not being taught have touched off an extensive reappraisal of history in the schools. Contains summaries of the major reports of the past year and suggestions for school boards. (MLF)

States that U.S. historians have dismissed the Spanish Borderlands as irrelevant historic development of the United States. Reports that a survey of history textbooks used in U.S. colleges and universities revealed this lack of interest. Discusses early historiography of Spanish Texas, stating that recent research compels historians to reevaluate…

Describes a "Generic Model for Planning Expository Lessons" for improving the lecture--discussion method used by most history teachers. The model is based on a lesson format developed by John J. Patrick and Richard Remy and uses a five-step procedure employing a variety of approaches to expository teaching. (BSR)

This article offers ideas for using the local community to support instruction in history. Suggestions range from using a variety of local library resources to field trips and oral histories. (JDH)

Describes and qualitatively evaluates National History Day as an educational program and suggests some of its implications for the teaching of history in the nation's schools. States that teachers should use a wide variety of primary source materials and instructional strategies to make the learning of history an active process. (GEA)

A museum director makes a case for the positive relationship between African-American awareness and self-esteem. Ways in which history should be taught to enhance students' knowledge, self-awareness, and pride are suggested. (CB)

Discusses a teaching unit which enables high school students to see the connections between the specific grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence and the structural prohibitions in the U.S. Constitution. Predicts that 27 grievances will be identified as students become more familiar with these two documents. (GEA)

Presents a two-day lesson which helps students understand the distinction between government and private action and, for more advanced students, to apply past court decisions to a hypothetical situation involving commerce and contract rights. Includes a checklist of 25 items which examines government involvement in students' everyday lives. (GEA)

Because American history and social studies textbooks are "official chronicles of the nation's past and influence the next generation's social understanding, content controversies abound. This article discusses the editorial ahistoricism, arid language, and disembodied figures characterizing most texts, reviews past successful models, and suggests…

Discusses how increasing interest in books by and about Asian Americans has encouraged publishing in this area. (SRT)