Recounts a student teacher's first experiences in the classroom and provides helpful commentary and suggestions from a more experienced teacher. Briefly discusses classroom management, learning styles, individual needs, time constraints, assessment, and instructional materials. Includes a list of activities that help promote an atmosphere of…

Argues that the fragmentary nature of mass media has made students suspicious of the traditional lecture format. Recommends that history teachers incorporate questions concerning source material and knowledge (e.g. How do I know this?) into their presentations. Suggests a number of activities and texts that can be used to involve students in…

Maintains that criticism of the National History Standards is inaccurate and politically motivated. Claims that conservatives value history instruction as an inculcation of patriotism rather than a search for truth. Praises the Standards as fair, insightful, and useful. (MJP)

Outlines activities using the 1867 quarterly returns for the Registry of Deaths for Pictou County, Nova Scotia, to link population themes in early Canada to today's global issues. Learning activities include having students research the age of mortality, cause of death, human migration, and occupational profile. (MJP)

Considers the controversies surrounding the traditional approach to teaching American History (focusing on a series of shared experiences and institutions) and the subsequent criticism that it excludes "other" experiences. Warns against the simplistic presentation of a single celebratory past while concluding that Americans share common…

Outlines a thematic approach to a U.S. history survey course that focused on the struggles and achievements of women. Covers cultural images of femininity and beauty as well as political and economic issues. Includes brief biographies of Eliza Pinckey, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul. (MJP)

Maintains that historical fiction provides children with the opportunity to vicariously live the events of the past, learn about their heritage, and develop a sense of the sweep of history. Recommends several books covering different historical periods and includes related instructional activities. (MJP)

Describes a curriculum development project completed by undergraduate education majors. The project consists of a picture or graphic organizer serving as a focal point surrounded by citations to non-fiction and fiction sources related to that point. An accompanying essay allowed the students to justify their selections. (MJP)

Describes the public school bias toward objectivity that has produced a value-neutral education. Reviews literature on textbook content and examines textbooks and curriculum to assess the impact of the denatured curriculum on history, literature, home economics, and science instruction. Advocates strengthening the humanities where students can…

Examines British teachers' efforts to revitalize the teaching of British history to primary school students, using field trips and curricular materials that enliven history. Investigates the challenges facing British history teachers to illuminate the recent U.S. efforts at curriculum development. Observes British teaching activities to identify…

Describes the process of creating a slide-tape show which outlines the culture of Middletown (Muncie, Indiana) during the 1920's and 1930's. Presents the program developed by the Center for Middletown Studies (Ball State University) for use in elementary schools and retirement or nursing homes. Urges the completion of similar projects in other…

Presents an annotated bibliography of 17 resources for teaching multicultural women's history, and recommends several publishers that offer resource materials. Looks at books for students, curriculum guides, reference books, films, and videos on the topic. (LS)

Presents a biographical sketch and teaching activities on the life of Thomas Jefferson. Asserts that the world's political geography changed dramatically during his lifetime and presents a classroom lesson on this topic. Includes a chronology of Jefferson's life and six quotations exemplifying his political and social views. (CFR)

Presents a lesson based on Decatur House, the home of Stephen Decatur, a military commander during the war with the Barbary Pirates and the War of 1812. Outlines student objectives and three learning activities. Includes four student readings, one map, three drawings, and two photographs. (CFR)

Presents instructional activities that bring "real world" content to the study of World War II by elementary students. Includes experiential activities such as interviews, guest speakers, visits to war memorials, and reading fiction and biographies. Includes an "All-American Matching Exercise" emphasizing cultural pluralism. (CFR)