Suggests twelve strategies for helping students read social studies material with greater comprehension. The strategies include simulations, debates, documents, oral histories, current events, and differing accounts of history. (DH)

Describes one professor's attempt to improve his college's introductory history course by offering an alternative which stresses a biographical approach to twentieth century individuals who have shaped the contemporary world. (JDH)

Presents a lesson which calls upon students to compare Adam Smith's WEALTH OF NATIONS to James Madison's FEDERALIST #10 to see how the ancient concept of individual rights and liberties was used to describe both economic and governmental systems. Presents questions to provide the basis for comparison. (GEA)

Demonstrates specific exercises designed to show students how popular cultural materials can be used as historical documents and the potential pitfalls inherent in this process. Examines Warner Brothers cartoons, relating the plot to the socio-historical roots of the cartoons. Concludes that this technique helps students better understand…

States that because of the lack of depth in history texts, the oral history of Vietnam veterans is a valuable teaching alternative. Provides details for preparing students and veterans for interviews. Concludes that this method helps students understand complex issues by placing them in the middle of historical inquiry. (GEA)

Proposes the adoption of a global constitution, similar to the U.S. Constitution, as a precondition for a peaceful planetary society. Explores the geographic roots of the U.S. Constitution and discusses the diffusion of federalism throughout the world. Advocates the teaching of global government theories in history, government, and geography…

Describes process-oriented curriculum which places students in role of creating their own history and assists them in transferring their knowledge and insight from personal to societal level. Curriculum is build around set of Historically Accurate Fictional Family Identity (HAFFI) cards which provide life scripts for 35 families representing major…

Describes how a role-playing approach may be used to capture the style, flavor, and conversation of nineteenth-century British life through the staging of a Victorian tea. Examines the economic, social, and cultural questions addressed through the technique. Also discusses evaluation and student impact and recommends the activity for any…

Reports the results of an experimental study of two classes (n=70) of gifted eighth grade students who were taught United States history concepts by either direct instruction or the traditional lecture approach. Results suggested that direct instruction of history concepts is substantially more effective than the traditional lecture approach. (JDH)

Discusses public interest in historical novels and television programs. Argues that well-researched historical novels can be used in history classes to promote a deeper understanding of the past. Analyzes various types of historical fiction (e.g., historical romances and "alternative-path" stories) in terms of their historical integrity…

This article provides an overview of how oral language and writing activities may be integrated into a typical kindergarten through sixth-grade social studies curriculum. (JDH)

Provides a review of the use of history textbooks in United States schools. Focuses special attention on studies which sought to determine the treatment of specific groups or themes in secondary history textbooks by applying content analysis techniques. Concludes that only a limited number of studies quantified the data upon which the analysis was…

Provides a lesson plan for senior high school which uses writing to help students learn about World War II. (JDH)

Provides rationale for history instruction. History is necessary because human beings need to "locate their individual lives in a chain of generations." Stresses history instruction as storytelling, featuring lives of people from the past. Recommends the use of biographies, primary sources, and social history. Concludes with a section on…

Strategies to strengthen elementary students' perceptions of the past are discussed. These include conducting a personal home furnishings inventory, creating a "then" and "now" class museum, planning an "old objects" with "new uses" survey, organizing a grandpa's garage and granny's attic day, and conducting a neighborhood architectural treasure…