Discusses the advantages of using popular novels, primary documents, and role playing assignments for a class in American diplomatic history. Suggestions for using these materials and techniques are also discussed. Includes a list of novels that provide introductions to different decades of American diplomatic history. (Author/JK)

Briefly discusses the use of student essays as a technique in the teaching of history. Outlines a student guide to writing reports and includes specific hints on writing essays. (JK)

Suggests three unconventional teaching approaches and instructional resources to help history teachers stimulate critical thinking about the past, present, and future. Described are ways of teaching folk history, alternative history, and future history. For journal availability, see SO 505 897. (Author/AV)

Examines the role of history courses in the political socialization of Soviet students. History teaching must develop students' Marxist-Leninist world view by stressing appreciation of Russian history, contemporary society, the Communist party, and the deeds and goals of Lenin-inspired patriots. (Author/DB)

Explains how Abraham Maslow's theory of the hierarchy of human needs can explain the success of medieval society which lasted 300 years. Based on sequential fulfillment of physical needs, security, affiliation, esteem, and self-fulfillment, the model can also illustrate how modern governments satisfy citizens' needs. (AV)

Comments upon objective test items which evaluate history students' analytical and interpretive skills. Concludes that properly constructed multiple choice test items go beyond testing for rote memorization of content. (Author/DB)

Argues that teaching about the United States Constitution can stimulate thinking about key political issues and citizenship values. Offers a list of constitutional issues and questions which students and teachers should address. Concludes that continued study and discussion are essential to the preservation of the ideals contained in the…

Describes a study of the use of an integrated communication arts instructional strategy to facilitate comprehension in a high school history course indicating that subjects who wrote following brainstorming activities and text readings generated higher quality ideas and synthesized acquired information better than the groups that did not write.…

The purpose of this role-playing activity is to acquaint secondary students in a Canadian history class with the problems of politics in New France shortly after it became a Crown colony. The activity is designed for three 70-minute classroom periods. (RM)

Points out that movies from the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's are excellent resource materials for the history and social science classroom. Suggests some ways particular films can be used to study mainstream, white, middle-class attitudes toward various issues and groups. (RKM)

States that children's literature is an excellent resource for presenting a deeper perspective of the lifestyle of blacks before the Civil Rights era. Discusses four specific books that can be used to teach a unit of instruction on this topic. Includes suggestions for class activities. (AEM)

Discusses the variability in quality of historical sites due to differences in the accuracy of their restoration, reconstruction, location, and/or refurnishing. Distinguishes between preservation and restoration/reconstruction of buildings. Provides a checklist of questions which will help teachers evaluate the quality of potential sites. (AEM)

Suggests that drama provides an excellent opportunity for children to learn about history, especially children who have not yet reached the formal operational level of development. Describes a program coordinated with a historical museum in which children reenact a school day in 1888. (ARH)

Describes the contents and structure of a heritage education resource package which was developed to heighten students' awareness of their heritage through the study of architecture. Designed to supplement a variety of curriculum units, this package utilizes local history resources to enliven heritage instruction. (GEA)

Discusses how periodization (the categorizing of history into identifiable periods) can be used effectively in world history courses to make the subject matter manageable and to avoid overwhelming the students with details. Presents a schema which interweaves technology, economic contacts, and cultural systems to help students handle the idea of…