Describes a sixth grade class in which students examined World War II throughout a school year. Identifies curiosity as the factor that helped children most in learning about the war. Reviews teaching strategies used and kinds of questions students asked. Discusses student problems with the vocabulary of the subject matter. Includes student…

Discusses possible changes that may occur in higher education in the coming years in methods of teaching and learning history. The use of new technology to update current teaching methods and student assignments is described, including the use of machine-readable records and databases together with optical disks and hypermedia for visual images.…

Illustrates how history can be taught through a problem-solving method. Encourages teachers to use critical thinking methods based on experience, helping students develop a systematic approach to thinking about historical problems. Stresses developing students' ability to evaluate historical sources allows teachers to direct a more interactive…

Discusses racist teaching charts which accompanied a Nazi German teacher's textbook on race biology. Examines the significance of the work of Alfred Vogel within the context of Nazi race education. Warns that school curriculum can easily be used to pervert science and advance racism when under control of a racist state. (DK)

This activity book for teachers and students presents ideas for lessons on Christopher Columbus. Three sections offer teaching ideas and student activities focusing on Columbus's inspiration and preparation for departure, the science of navigation and the voyage, and the pros and cons of changes brought about by Columbus's voyage. (SM)

Discusses the teaching of history and social studies in Connecticut. Addresses curricular and teacher certification requirements, continuing education units (CEUs), and mastery testing. Identifies problems and suggests possible alternatives for evaluating tenth grade students' social studies knowledge. Briefly describes the role of the Connecticut…

Describes exercises in which students create a fictional character from history and write a journal entry in a cooperative group activity. Discusses further assignments in which individual students create additional characters descended from the original for study of later historical periods. Suggests that the project demonstrates how historical…

Examines the role of numbers and statistical data in history research and history instruction. Contends that many historians and history teachers are unwilling or unable to use numeric data effectively. Argues that statistical analysis is essential for many historical themes and topics. (CFR)

Reviews relations between the United States and Europe from the American Revolution to contemporary times. Contends that U.S. foreign policy has always been characterized by a tension between involvement and isolationism. Determines that the United States is inextricably tied to Europe and the world. (CFR)

Contends end of the Cold War and demise of communism caught most historians by surprise. Questions whether increased military spending by Unites States was the primary cause of the fall of the Soviet Union and communist nations in Europe. Argues world is still a dangerous place, and the Unites States must be diplomatically skillful and encourage…

Introduces a new series of U.S. history textbooks geared to grade five (or grades four, five, and six). The 10-volume series, divided into short, manageable chapters, aims to make history come alive. An excerpt from Book 6 ("War, Terrible War") about the Civil War is presented. (SLD)

Discusses the role of white and Indian women in the history of the U.S. western frontier and lists 35 print and video resources for middle schools and secondary schools. Topics addressed include the omission of women's experiences in history; documents on the female experience; using video effectively; and developing the curriculum. (10…

Presents two interdisciplinary lessons combining social studies, reading, and writing. Includes recommended children's literature for both lessons. Suggests classroom activities designed to teach history and social studies through reading historical fiction. (CFR)

Uses data from the California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS) to analyze course listings in history and the social sciences in California secondary schools from 1981 to 1990. Uses three variables: enrollment, number of sections, and number of full-time faculty assigned to social studies courses. Reviews course offerings and recommends…

Reports on an ethnographic study in which the teacher of a combined third and fourth grade class reads historical literature from the U.S. Revolutionary period to students daily for nine weeks. Finds that study of historical content through literature is appropriate at these grade levels. Reports student enthusiasm for this activity. (SLM)