Describes the use of epic poetry in a combined English/history humanities class. Concludes that epic poetry, the combination of history and verse, helps students understand the continuity and meaning of the Western tradition. (CFR)

Presents a role playing lesson on Meriweather Lewis and George Rogers Clark's exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. Emphasizes integration of the five fundamental themes of geography: location, place, human environment interactions, movement, and regions. Suggests evaluation procedures, extension lessons, and materials and resources. Calls upon…

Discusses GTV, a computer software program that presents U.S. history from a geographic perspective. Lists resources and equipment necessary to make effective use of the program. Cites the program's possible integration with California's social studies classroom under the state social studies framework. (DK)

Discusses the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and its plan for voluntary national certification of elementary and secondary teachers. Suggests reasons for the lack of national standards for teachers in the past. Describes a proposed certification system that involves performance-based evaluations and an emphasis on independence…

Presents results of a survey of students' favorite middle and high school courses. Reports that the greatest disparity between most and least favorite subject was recorded for history. Concludes that overall, history was viewed positively by a wider margin than any other subject. Suggests that, although students like history, teachers must…

Suggests that students can learn to recognize media bias by studying media reports of current events or historical topics. Describes a study unit using media coverage of the second anniversary of the Palestinian uprising against Israel. Discusses lesson objectives, planning, defining bias teaching procedures, and criteria for determining bias. (DK)

Discusses treatment of the United States in Chinese textbooks. Focuses on a world history text and a political economics text for high school seniors. Reports that the Chinese texts present the United States as an imperialistic bastion of capitalism. Suggests that a more balanced presentation is necessary to prepare students for the global era.…

Examines the Marxist-Leninist curriculum assumptions about history instruction in East German schools on the legacy of Nazism. Suggests that questions raised to legitimize history instruction for East German students are relevant for students in capitalist countries. Discusses Hitler's rise to power, Soviet contributions to defeat fascism,…

Addresses the problem of racial bias in the teaching of history. Argues that history is taught from a European viewpoint ignoring civilization's beginning in Africa. Suggests that African-American children will develop self-esteem and motivation if they are taught about African history. Describes such a program in the Indianapolis (Indiana) Public…

Discusses the use of autobiography and personal memoirs as teaching tools in the history classroom. Presents information from Henry Watterson's autobiography that discusses the life of Jane Cazneau. Points out flaws in which incorrect information is presented as true. Includes a complete lesson plan for use with the example. (DK)

Provides and annotated bibliography of items from the ERIC database dealing with technological advances in history and social studies instruction. Includes items that address computer-assisted instruction, geography software, computer simulation, the science, technology, and society movement, and economics instruction. Explains how to obtain ERIC…

Argues for recognition that teaching about the voyages of Columbus is presented from a European perspective. Reminds teachers to take a multidimensional approach that recognizes the Native American and African-American points of view. Examines the long-range demographic, cultural, political, economic, dietary, and labor redividing consequences of…

Offers tips for teaching about the lives and cultures of Native Americans. Argues that teachers themselves should study and read about, consult with, seek to understand, and participate in the cultural events of Native Americans. Suggests opportunities for teaching about native peoples. Provides an illustrative lesson plan for use in grades two…

Offers suggestions for teaching about the quincentenary of Christopher Columbus' voyages to the Americas. Includes details on teaching definitions about the topic, offering an essay test, and providing a nine-day unit of study on Columbus. Provides a three-item annotated bibliography of works about the explorer. (SG)

Offers excerpts from a California State Education Department publication on curriculum reform ("It's Elementary!") that describes what elementary school students should be learning in subject areas and highlights character education. The subject areas covered are language arts, mathematics, history-social science, and science. (JB)