Describes a curriculum development project developed in the United Kingdom to help students write histories based on local case studies. Topics discussed include reasons for writing local history, gathering historical evidence, primary source materials, procedures, and advantages of a local history project. (Author/DB)

Old Sturbridge in central Massachusetts, a recreated New England Village of the period 1790-1840, is a museum of the past which includes a learning center with reproductions of artifacts used in the period, with demonstration areas, and a teacher center where resource materials for class use are available. (MF)

Details an interdisciplinary video project used by an eighth-grade English teacher to tie the flora, fauna, forces of nature, and historical events in the book "Prairie Songs" to what students are learning about in social studies and in science. Describes goals and resources for the project, student questions, researching topics, writing…

Presents a lesson plan to teach students about the Black Codes created in Virginia during the eighteenth century. Explains that the students read the included primary document, gather in groups to answer a set of questions, and meet as a class to relate their answers. (CMK)

Provides a collection of Web sites useful for teaching about slavery in the United States and the transatlantic slave trade. States that some Web sites include access to primary sources on slavery while others offer teaching materials on the topic. (CMK)

Presents a lesson plan on Pompeii (Italy) for middle school students that utilizes a teaching technique called interactive presentation. Describes the technique's five phases: (1) discrepant event inquiry; (2) discussion/presentation; (3) cooperative learning activity; (4) writing for understanding activity; and (5) whole-class discussion and…

Describes the Web site, "History Matters," by focusing on each of the site's separate sections. Explains that "History Matters" offers links to Web sites, primary sources, information on teaching resources for social studies teachers, and links teachers to experts in the social studies field and to other professional development materials. (CMK)

Presents a lesson plan designed for high school juniors about the U.S. conservatist movement in the 1920s and 1980s. Explains that the students learn about comparative analysis during this lesson. Focuses on the development of conservatism and the role of U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Includes background information and a handout. (CMK)

Presents Web sites useful for teaching about the Salem (Massachusetts) witchcraft trials. Includes Web sites that offer primary source material, collections of Web sites, teaching material, and sites that are interactive, including features, such as QuickTime movies. (CMK)

Canadians do not have a common history, despite the English-speaking Eurocentric narrative that passes for Canadian history. Rethinking the history curriculum, combined with innovative practices such as using primary historical documents, conducting heritage fairs, and encouraging students to research and produce their own heritage minutes, can…

Describes the content of the book "The English Patient" (Michael Ondaatje) and presents teaching strategies. Focuses on the major themes in the book and the four characters who reside at an Italian villa during World War II. (CMK)

States that in order for students to learn about non-Western history, the role of the history teacher must change from the person who provides information to students to the person who helps students locate information. Explains that the Internet should be embraced as a tool for teaching students about non-Western history. (CMK)

Investigated the influence of first-person, personal narratives on high school students' engagement with a historical reading-to-write task. Found that students who began the task by reading a visible author tended to hold mental conversations with these authors, make judgments about them, and think more about the historical topic. Also, their…

A 13-day camping trip to the Wendell K. Beckwith site in Wabakimi Provincial Park (Ontario) demonstrates how outdoor education programs can help students gain a rich understanding of the history of a particular tripping area and realize the interdependence of humans and nature. Such expeditions offer opportunities for curriculum integration,…

Contends that because lyrics and music of popular songs can represent alternative perspectives to the dominant ideologies of a particular time or place, they can be used effectively in classrooms to provide the voices rarely heard in textbooks. Describes several songs and offers teaching suggestions for implementing this approach. Argues that…