Describes the evolution of a course concerning the role of Spain in the Americas. Suggests that Spain has had a strong influence on the region. Explains that students participated unexpectedly well within the course's discussion seminar format. Includes an appendix setting out assigned readings and a course syllabus. (SG)

Argues that stories or oral narratives can provide a rich interpretive potential for historians. Describes research into the stories of early settlers in the American west. Concludes that the way stories are told provides insight into the character of the historical period. (CFR)

Presents a lesson plan exploring social values and historical periods as it is reflected in the sport of baseball. Suggests that teachers start with an overview of the game's history and rules in the nineteenth century. Includes four sets of quotes relating to baseball and race, capitalism, community, and cultural context. (DK)

Presents a method of using the Consumer Price Index to give students an understanding of the meanings of price levels in different historical periods. Demonstrates how to figure the actual price of items in the 1920s and 1930s by converting prices to present value. Argues that consumer goods were not cheaper in the past. (DK)

Contrasts Piagetian based research with psychological research of script knowledge-based and domain-specific knowledge restructuring theories. Suggests that a cultural framework incorporating script and domain specific ideas would be more effective for studying historical understanding than Piagetian theories. Concludes that children can…

Presents a lesson plan for a second-grade class project. Suggests that the students will learn to identify the word "famous," complete a timeline for a famous person, learn facts about the person, and express individual thoughts and feelings. Explains the steps involved in the presentation of a living museum where students portray famous…

Suggests a lesson plan in which history students discuss the effects of the Vietnam War on individuals and society. Explains that the students compare their responses before and after hearing a reading of two different works on the war. Includes suggested readings and questions for students to use in interviewing people in the community. (DK)

Presents a secondary lesson for high school students based on a controversial 1892 proposal in Congress to reduce the size of Yosemite National Park. Includes a map and petition signed by John Muir, the first president of the Sierra Club, which was formed to oppose the proposal. The lesson includes class discussion and activity suggestions. (CFR)

Suggests that, because both history and computers are information based, there is an natural link between the two. Argues that history teachers should exploit the technology to help students to understand history while they become computer literate. Points out uses for databases, word processing, desktop publishing, and telecommunications in…

Discusses the problem of ethnocentrism in the educational system of the United States. Suggests that knowledge needs to be redefined to reflect a multicultural view of the world rather than reflecting an "us against them" outlook. Argues that the humanities need to be decentered so that minority students are not alienated. (DK)

Offers a teaching model and describes ways that social studies concepts can be taught using music. Discusses six steps for doing so, and describes three activities for using music in the social studies class. (SR)

Discusses the significance of the proliferation of new media for academic historians and their teaching. Describes the researcher's personal experiences incorporating multimedia technology into courses. Addresses points to consider before adopting multimedia as an individual or institution, including cost, standardization, and possible student…

Provides a brief introduction to ways functional grammatical concepts can be used to understand the distinctive literacy demands of school science and history texts. Distinguishes this grammar from that of everyday language; examines the characteristic grammatical and discourse forms of content area learning; and discusses developing functional…

The rhetoric and educational policies on the use of history for citizenship education in England are reviewed for the period from 1880 to 1990. The rhetoric about the contribution of history to citizenship education has been strong and consistent, challenged only by the discipline itself in recent years. (SLD)

Argues that historical understanding requires historical thinking--taking a critical stance toward what is read and assuming a questioning attitude. Identifies numerous trade books that deal with sources (showing how evidence is acquired and evaluated), conflicting interpretations, and powerful concepts and generalizations. Describes how to help…