Eighth graders participate in a mock trial of the Boston Massacre. Throughout the trial, students are given writing assignments based on Bloom's forms of thinking operations. For example, they write argumentative paragraphs as verdicts, write essays comparing and contrasting issues, and agree on criteria for evaluating the actions of both sides.…

In spite of attacks upon the United Nations, even critics admit the world would not be as well off without it. The important work of its humanitarian agencies needs to be more widely publicized. Describes a required global history course in New York as an example. (CS)

Describes the comprehensive curriculum approach and teacher training program on the Jewish Holocaust that has been developed for adolescents by Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit organization. Course objectives, problems teachers will encounter, and student response are discussed. (MBR)

Nearly 20 years ago, the first national assessment of student achievement in U.S. history yielded disappointing results. Although policy-makers and researchers expressed great concern about the low scores, the federal government did not undertake large-scale efforts to address poor student performance, and few research dollars were dedicated to…

This lesson describes and discusses the impact on Carnegie Libraries in U.S. history. The lesson plan contains eight sections: (1) "About this Lesson"; (2) "Getting Started: Inquiry Question"; (3) "Setting the Stage: Historical Context"; (4) "Locating the Site: Maps" (Carnegie Libraries in the United States,…

This lesson describes and discusses the Battle of Bunker Hill (Massachusetts), which took place during the Revolutionary War. The lesson plan contains eight sections: (1) "About this Lesson"; (2) "Getting Started: Inquiry Question"; (3) "Setting the Stage: Historical Context"; (4) "Locating the Site: Maps"…

The purpose of this paper was to analyze and critique the proposals made in "The Engaged Classroom" by Sam Intrator to increase student engagement in the classroom. The methodology used was to analyze, compare, and critique the proposals based on educational research on apathy and boredom in the instruction of history. The results were that the…

This case study of an historian high school history teacher is an account of how differing views of the nature of history and historical knowledge influenced the teacher's teaching practice. The two discourse communities the teacher belonged to, that of the university where the degree was granted and that of the school community in which the…

This lesson traces the use of Eleanor Roosevelt's retreat, Val-Kill, a "shack" (actually a stone cottage) built in 1925 on the grounds of the Roosevelt family estate at Hyde Park (New York), and how it nurtured her spirit, personal style, and humanitarian efforts. The lesson explains that Eleanor and her women friends later expanded the…

This paper discusses the implementation of technology in social studies education. The first section addresses reasons why technology is used in social studies education, including the goal of making the social studies classroom a site of active learning and critical thinking. The second section describes three frameworks for using technology to…

In the 1990s the debate over what and whose history should be taught in U.S. schools resonated through the halls of the U.S. Congress, the national press, and the nation's schools. Some politicians and pundits denounced the findings of the National Standards for History, which subsequently became a major battleground in the nation's ongoing…

Land was at a premium during the first quarter of the 19th century in the newly incorporated city of Boston (Massachusetts). Among the first priorities was the development of a safer, healthier city. Boston's burial grounds were seriously overcrowded, and additional space was no longer available within the city limits. Attitudes about death and…

This educational packet contains information about Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (Republic, Missouri), the site of a bitter 1861 struggle between Union and Confederate forces for control of Missouri. The packet contains the following materials: (1) Educational Group Reservation Form; (2) Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Movement Maps (six…

This educators' guide deals with preparation for and a visit to the historic location of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (Republic, Missouri), the site of the struggle on August 10, 1861, between Union and Confederate forces for control of Missouri. The guide contains the following materials: Educational Group Reservation Form; Educational…

This educational guide is organized to help elementary grade students make the most of their study of and visit to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (Republic, Missouri), the site of an August 1861 struggle between Union and Confederate forces for control of Missouri. The packet is divided into the following sections: (1) Educational Group…