This unit focuses on the school integration case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (Kansas), and its immediate aftermath. The Supreme Court's 1954 decision was a catalyst for civil rights activism along a broad front over the ensuing decades. The decision and its implementation have stood as a model for similar social and political action…

Because historical objects have a powerful presence, they can be equally powerful as educational tools. Historic sites and the professionals who staff them are uniquely qualified to deal with these objects and their context. By teaching students methods of interpreting artifacts and documents, youngsters can develop higher-level cognitive skills…

The far-reaching and transforming interactions of the Old World and the New are known today as "the Columbian Exchange." Part 1 of this booklet is an introduction by John J. Patrick dealing with teaching about the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Part 2, "Columbus and Ecological Imperialism," by Alfred W. Crosby, provides an…

Seven model curriculum syllabi, designed by teachers for use in teacher education classes, feature the use of primary sources and informed personal judgement in teaching humanities based citizenship education courses. "Education and the Changing Meaning of American Citizenship" (B. McClellan) explores how and to what degree U.S. educators have…

Experiences of black women, who migrated from the rural south to the District of Columbia between 1900 and 1926, are examined in order to illustrate the nature of household work during this period. While previous research on black private household workers usually attributed changes in household labor to architectural and technological trends,…

The author, who is an award winning college professor, is often asked about her philosophy of teaching. She reflects upon her own undergraduate experiences when she considers what makes an effective course. In this article, the author shares and discusses five principles of teaching that define her teaching philosophy: (1) Be approachable; (2) Use…

This reader, which contains 135 primary source readings about morality, is one of several college-level instructional materials developed to supplement a nationwide newspaper course on moral issues in contemporary society. The authors represent a diverse group including theologians, psychologists, politicians, professional athletes, lawyers, and…

Designed to supplement secondary United States history courses, this resource booklet provides materials on four dramatic incidents in American history. The four events under examination include the Boston Massacre, the Denmark Vesey Slave Revolt, the Republic Steel Strike of 1937, and the Berlin Airlift of 1948. Each unit contains social…

A junior high school geography class in La Palma, California, offers extensive field trip experiences to teach students methods of historical-geographical research. Resulting from a course that develops research methods in social studies, a club was formed that provides overnight excursions in various field activities. The club is open to 9th and…

Primary sources such as diaries and census data from early nineteenth-century Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts are the basis for this set of resource packets. These supplementary packets, adaptable to various grade levels, help students explore questions about the pace of work in a rural society, the role of individuals in a farm family,…

A case study of school development in Jackson County, Illinois, from 1870 to 1976 is presented in this monograph. Settlement in southern Illinois and establishment of Jackson County are discussed briefly. The study of the educational history of the county is divided into three chronological sections. The educational heritage section, 1818-1854,…

These lesson plans were developed by teachers and designed to be helpful to social studies teachers in grades eight through 12, mostly in United States history or government. The lesson plans are organized in a logical order for a unit on religion. Each lesson contains educational objectives, academic expectations, context, materials needed, and…

Criticizes the traditional approach to teaching U.S. government as being de-contextualized, piecemeal, incoherent, and ineffective. Summarizes an alternative approach that follows historical development but emphasizes the emerging character of the U.S. political system due to the interaction between values, context, and institutions. Text readings…

Presents a high school history lesson based on the National Standards for United States History. Considers the effect of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence on free and enslaved African Americans. (CFR)

Presents a lesson tracing the legal evolution toward greater justice in U.S. society from 1865-1965 through congressional acts and Supreme Court decisions. Includes student handouts of major civil rights cases, legislation, and background information. Provides a bar graph for evaluating Supreme Court decisions and congressional acts that advance…