Presents a classroom lesson that utilizes primary sources about Auschwitz, the World War II Nazi concentration camp. Two letters confronting the issue of whether or not U.S. planes should bomb the camps are included. Recommends seven teaching strategies for the lesson and identifies additional resources. (CFR)

Describes a three-day unit for eighth-grade geography classes that uses a videotape of an ABC News Special to combine a lesson on the Bosnian Civil War with a media-analysis activity. (SR)

Reviews the history of U.S. foreign aid, and contests popular assumptions about the leading role of the United States in contemporary aid efforts. Provides a detailed breakdown of the U.S. foreign affairs budget to support the argument. Links the argument to suggestions for appropriate U.S. policy in this area. (DSK)

Presents a series of questions designed to provoke students to think about their location in the world, the effect of global connections on their local culture, and current global problems and their implications. Includes Internet contact information for some United Nations agencies that provide information useful to students. (DSK)

Examines the socialization of student teachers in secondary history classrooms, specifically, responses to a history-intensive social studies methods course, and their subsequent use of document-based instruction. Supports previous research regarding student teachers' active participation in their socialization process, and provides insights into…

Provides a brief overview of historical and legal scholarship on gun control and the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Limits its scope to works by acknowledged legal and historical scholars, avoiding contemporary pro- and anti-gun-control opinion pieces. Includes a bibliography of further resources for teachers. (DSK)

Observes that slavery remains an uncomfortable subject and is generally perceived as strictly part of "black history." Argues that slavery must be seen as an American story that has strongly impacted the country's development. Reviews four books that provide insight into aspects of slavery and debates around it. (DSK)

Transcribes a roundtable discussion among a group of student advisors who studied the history of slavery and worked on the public television project "Africans in America." Discusses issues about presenting history, dealing with slavery and racism, and how the history of slavery impacts students' own identities. (DSK)

Addresses the problems with conventional assessment in social studies and describes an alternative form called dynamic assessment. Explains how to use dynamic assessment in social studies, and in particular, for evaluating citizenship participation. Provides two charts that demonstrate how dynamic assessment can modify teachers' evaluation…

Illustrates that history can be brought to life and internalized in an authentic fashion in a variety of situations. Demonstrates the step-by-step process by which teacher and class can formulate, prepare, plan, research, rehearse, and present role-playing simulations for class, school, and community. Includes a student persona worksheet.…

Presents an annotated bibliography of ERIC/ChESS resources related to the history of the United States Congress. Materials selected include books, academic journals, theme issues, workbooks, and curriculum guides. Includes information on locating, ordering, and reproduction of these resources. Also includes information for contacting ERIC/ChESS.…

Offers a comparative analysis of the development of the history curricula within England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, exploring the relationship between history teaching and national identity. Suggests that these histories share commonalities while exhibiting differences. Considers implications for future perceptions of the British…

Discusses how postage stamps can be used to teach social studies, including ideas for units on national culture, the history of technology, and peace education. Explains how teachers can obtain stamps and discusses stamp terminology. Considers classroom strategies and includes an appendix of Internet resources about postage stamps. (CMK)

Describes a unit for elementary students on the history and technology of writing from ancient to medieval times. Includes a contemporary writing and print exercise, an ancient and medieval writing exercise, a research activity on the evolution of writing, a biography study, a fine arts exercise, and a community survey. Addresses the unit…

Discusses the debates concerning (1) content and process in social studies and history and (2) testing and standards in California, noting that Advanced Placement (AP) courses demand a high scholarly standard. Focuses on the AP European history course and examination, addressing history as interpretation, teaching analytical essay writing, and AP…