Presents an interview with James O. Horton, a professor of American Studies and History at George Washington University and the Director of the Afro-American Communities Project at the National Museum of American History. Focuses on topics such as why Horton became a history teacher, favorite courses to teach, and most memorable and worst teaching…

Contends that world history should be taught as "Big History," a view that includes all space and time beginning with the Big Bang. Discusses five "Cardinal Questions" that serve as a course structure and address the following concepts: perspectives, diversity, change and continuity, interdependence, and causes. (CMK)

Provides a brief background on Eleanor Roosevelt and the Declaration of Human Rights. Presents a lesson wherein students simulate the creation of the Declaration of Human Rights and consider the leadership skills of Eleanor Roosevelt. Explains that the activity requires three class periods and some student preparation before the lesson. (CMK)

A study involving 81 eighth-graders found that those who used a conceptually organized (C-O) history textbook which presented content more conceptually and also provided multiple means to assist student's learning of history information, did significantly better on multiple choice questions than did students using a topically organized textbook.…

Describes how to use the films "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" from 1958 and 1978 and "The Body Snatchers" from 1993 to teach the last 50 years of U.S. history by enabling students to evaluate history as an ongoing analysis and critique of historical eras. (CMK)

Finds that students in both mandated and voluntary Supplemental Instruction groups (academic support led by peer facilitators) in a high-risk, required, freshman-level, writing-intensive United States History course earned significantly higher course grades and semester grade point averages than students in the non-SI group. Finds no significant…

Contends that teaching students about history through storytelling enlivens the classroom and enables students to understand the past, their own history, and culture. Provides a list of 12 elements that can be included in a story, such as foods, historical context, transportation, schools, and family life/entertainment. (CMK)

Examines aspects of 10-year-old children's conceptions of understanding. Analyzes to what extent they (1) recognize understanding as a cohesive whole, (2) know when a descriptive understanding versus a causal understanding is expected, and (3) can distinguish between the types of causal understanding in science and history. Includes references and…

Considers what computers contribute to the work of historians, and of history teachers, that is specific to the nature of computers and cannot be accomplished by other tools available to historians today. Suggests that simulation games and databases be used to reduce the historian's unspoken biases when examining the conditions of historical…

Observes that little is ever taught in Canadian elementary and secondary social studies about Canada's first Governor General, Lord Charles Stanley Monck. Provides a brief introduction to his activities in the Confederation of the Canadian state that can be used by social studies teachers to construct lessons. (DSK)

Asserts that the two problems with history teaching in Canada are the failure of historians to engage with the schools and the inability of many history teachers to feel at home in their subject. Reviews five crises in the teaching of history over the last 100 years. (CMK)

Describes a research seminar for sophomore college students structured around the preparation of a research portfolio that later becomes the core of their departmental assessment portfolio. Explains that the departmental assessment portfolio provides a means for (1) documenting history majors' achievements and (2) overall department assessment of…

Explores the wealth of literature by and about Japan and Japanese Americans. Presents a structure for a history unit focusing on Japanese Americans. Summarizes curricular and literary issues to consider. Presents annotations of 69 works of literature and reference and teaching materials. (RS)

Offers background information on the formation of comparative religion. Demonstrates that the world religion approach is inadequate by examining case studies of Mithraism, Santeria, Mormonism, and Baha'i to illustrate the shortcomings of this approach. Advocates the use of an ethnic versus evangelical religion approach to teaching global…

Focuses on the use of a Reader's Journal that involves students in writing informal responses to reading assignments for history courses. Explains that the Reader's Journal is used to improve students' reading of assignments. Discusses students' responses to the journal entry assignment and the challenges involved. (CMK)