This paper discusses the use of General Horace Porter, President Ulysses S. Grant's personal friend and closest adviser through the latter stages of the U.S. Civil War and into Grant's presidency. During the Civil War, Porter made field observations, suggested strategy, and relayed orders among commanders. As adviser to the president, Porter wrote…

In most elementary schools in the United States, students get their first systematic introduction to history as a discipline and to chronological treatment of U.S. history as subject matter in fifth-grade U.S. history courses. To develop information about the knowledge and misconceptions concerning U.S. history that fifth-grade teachers can expect…

Heritage education is an interdisciplinary, interactive approach to examining the historical and cultural evidence of heritage that remains in neighborhoods, community, and regions. This paper seeks to answer some basic questions about heritage education, including: What is it? What are heritage educators seeking to accomplish? Is there a right…

This publication is intended for teachers bringing a class to visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C., for a workshop on primary documents. The National Archives serves as the repository for all federal records of enduring value. Primary sources are vital teaching tools because they actively engage the student's imagination so that he or…

This study focuses on the relationship between an eighth-grade U.S. history teacher's philosophy of teaching history and his selections of Internet-based, instructional materials to help with curriculum and instruction decisions. The objective of the research is an investigation of two reciprocal influences: (1) the teacher's philosophy of…

Designed as a resource for teachers to help high school students understand the new Germany, six background papers and nine lessons provide information on the difficult transition from the Third Reich to defeat and military occupation, on the establishment of two successor states, and on revolution and reunification. The six background papers…

This document is a report on 16 schools selected as Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding programs in geography or history. The report is divided into four parts. The first part discusses the curricular frameworks and guidelines for elementary and secondary schools in geography education. Areas discussed include: (1) current achievement and…

This guide provides information to create and care for a Famous and Historic Trees Living Classroom in which students learn American history and culture in the context of environmental change. The booklet contains 10 hands-on activities that emphasize observation, critical thinking, and teamwork. Worksheets and illustrations provide students with…

This activity is designed for use in connection with the study of Turkish history by elementary school students. The activity utilizes Turkish art to stimulate students to create their own written interpretations of history. The particular work of art studied is "Miniature with a Cat Design," from the collection of the Topkapi Museum in…

This document consists of the proceedings of a conference that reflected the vision of history held by the Bradley Commission. The theme of the conference was the nature of the history curriculum. The presenters at the conference focused on the impact that the report of the Bradley Commission has had during the previous five years. The document…

This newsletter issue brings to students' attention some of the topics they could explore in working toward an award that the Arab World and Islamic Resources and School Services (AWAIR) organization presented to students participating in History Day 1991. The special category of the awards is Arab or Islamic history. The topics presented were not…

Teachers of history, introductory chemistry, and literature from Portland State University, Portland Community College, Clark College, Mt. Hood Community College, and Clackamas Community College (Oregon) have been working together to foster critical thinking in their students. Teachers in these disciplines have been meeting at their respective…

These guidelines for conducting oral history projects are the result of the first efforts at school history of sixth-grade students at the Southside Elementary School, Columbus. While the guidelines stem from a project on a specific topic, they would be useful to students (even students beyond the sixth grade) who wish to do oral history work.…

This paper discusses the importance of teaching about the place of religion in U.S. development and calls attention to the inadequate treatment of religion in history textbooks used in public secondary schools. Knowledge about various religious traditions is necessary to citizenship, and since it is not taught by parents or religious institutions,…

Designed to accompany a series of 10 20-minute video programs, this teaching guide helps students to use geographical principles and concepts in order to better understand major historical development. The series uses the five basic geographic themes to enhance student understanding of significant events in U.S. history: location, place,…