This is a fictional dialogue intended to honor Jim Kingman and David Leary, both professors of history who retired after long careers at Pasadena City College in California (PCC). The dialogue hypothesizes the observations of both men as they look on the honorary gold plates of previous retirees that decorate the wall of a PCC public dining hall.…

This printed guide for viewing the Public Television series, "Africans in America," first points out that the series, told from multiple perspectives and informed by "leading-edge" scholars, illuminates U.S. history from 1607 to 1861: how Africans and Europeans together built a new nation even as they struggled over the meaning…

This article examines the history textbooks available in 1998 for adoption in the United States at both the high school and elementary levels. New books have appeared on the scene since the last textbook adoption series. California begins its textbook considerations in August. The California adoption will rekindle national interest in the content…

This teacher's manual is designed to accompany the curriculum "The Lessons of the Vietnam War." For each of 12 units of the curriculum, this manual suggests projects for student research and classroom activities. The 12 units are entitled: (1) Introduction to Vietnam: land, history and culture; (2) America at war in Vietnam: decisions and…

The use of historical records and documents can help students to connect more meaningfully to the past, and lead them to an increased understanding of and participation in their communities. The Regents of New York State have included the use of historical records and documents in their recommendations for the improvement of elementary and…

The paper describes Newberry Library's McNickle Center, with its large collection on American Indians. It examines the relationship between the library and college teachers of Native American history. Part 1 discusses the center's history, noting how it raises public awareness of Native American history and provides resources for teachers and…

This practicum was designed to incorporate the study of geography into a ninth grade world history class with the aim of improving student awareness of the influence of geography upon the historical development of ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. By means of a questionnaire and map tests it was determined that ninth grade world history…

This document describes "Food for Thought," a multidisciplinary project for grades 5 through 8, using nutrition as a focal point. The program focuses on the popular topic of food to make the study of different cultures and historic periods more relevant. In the program students research the diets and prepare the meals of cultures they…

This document from the Virginia Department of Education reports on a project to enable public schools to meet requirements of two laws. The first law required public schools to emphasize instruction on the documents of Virginia and United States history and government. The second requested that all public schools be urged to display copies of the…

Designed to make a visit to Washington, D.C. a successful learning experience for students by helping them understand the evolution of the city into what it is today, this teacher's guide presents themes and activities to accommodate many teaching and learning styles. Three sections of activities explore how the built environment symbolizes…

This document provides lesson plans designed for teaching fourth-grade students about the religious group known as the Shakers. Preceding each of the five lessons is a list of objectives, time required, background, materials needed, classroom procedures, and suggested follow-up activities. In Lesson A, a story is read and students are asked to…

The purpose of college teaching is to promote book learning--a type of learning which is repressive of people's natural curiosity. It is the duty of teachers to help students be what they do not want to be; therefore, they need to proceed with charity, affection, and selflessness. In teaching, communication proceeds on three levels: (1) formal…

In 1989, a study was conducted at Saddleback College (SC) to determine whether an English composition course should be established as a prerequisite for the introductory U.S. history course at SC. Subjects for the study consisted of 314 students who entered the college in fall 1988 and enrolled in one of the two introductory U.S. history courses…

The debate among scholars on the historical and contemporary significance of the Founding period of the United States still continues and important questions still need to be addressed. The extent to which current judicial decisions should be governed by the intentions of the Framers, and whether contemporary historical approaches tend to…

Strategies and techniques for teaching history and stimulating secondary school students' awareness of and interest in the past is the focus of this document. Using drama as a tool enhances learning and maintains interest and attention by designing and acting out appropriate settings, historical circumstances, dramatic action, and historical…