Annotations of 13 children's books with social studies themes published in 1977. Topics include racial background, conservation and recycling, American history, medieval and Shakespearean cultures, and rural life in the 1940s. (AV)

Offers secondary social studies teachers instructional strategies for using wordless picture books, or short, often complex books that tell a story or present a concept through illustrations. Includes a list of such books and offers four instructional strategies for their use. (JDH)

Classroom activities to help children learn about and celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the United States Constitution are described, including making up a class constitution, teaching about becoming a United States citizen, and researching details of a specific state's ratification of the Constitution. (CB)

Offers a list of ten suggestions for improving students' listening skills in social studies. Among the suggestions: pace your presentation so the listener can process the information; repeat and redefine critical parts of the message; and use graphic aids such as overhead transparencies. (JDH)

Provides an instructional unit based on interviews and articles about the influence of the automobile in the U.S. Includes a series of activity ideas and lessons for secondary students. (JDH)

Introduces articles in this theme issue on immigration. Emphasizes that the objective is to explore Immigrant America in a more realistic light. Concludes that each of the articles contain practical suggestions and data for teachers' use. (BSR)

Reviews a collection of source materials that cover various aspects of immigration. The list includes twenty-three different types of information. Examples of sources are: (1) newspapers; (2) pictorials; (3) documents; (4) articles; (5) letters; and (6) cartoons. (BSR)

Discusses the possible ramifications of the Hatch Amendment of 1978 and gives illustrations of concepts and ideas traditionally taught in social studies courses that may cause problems for social studies programs. Calls for action on the part of educators to develop a consistent and relevant social studies curriculum. (GEA)

Discusses the progress made by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) in recent years and examines areas in which improvement is needed. States that NCSS must serve as an advocate for excellence in social studies programs and teaching. (GEA)

Describes four activities designed to require each individual student to think about a topic and make an informed choice or decision. Discusses the teacher's role in these participation activities and stresses the importance of helping students to think independently and critically. (GEA)

This lesson plan offers a model methodology for research assignments. Includes a sample topic list, evaluation criteria, and suggested follow-up activities. (DH)

Discussing civil and criminal law, state and federal courts, and law in the workplace and marriage, this article provides a quick look at legal issues apt to be important to the average person. The article demonstrates how student's lives, work, and families are affected by the law. (GEA)

Identifies the developing nations of the Pacific Rim to be the Philippines, Indonesia, and 21 small states such as Fiji and Papua, New Guinea. Discusses the political and economic factors which both hinder and aid the governments of these nations. Contends that the region's tremendous potential is unrealized because of economic underdevelopment…

Lists eleven organizations that offer educational resources on Asia and the Pacific. Includes both Asian and North American organizations and provides ordering information for each organization. (GEA)

Discusses the views of Paul Gagnon and his book "Democracy's Untold Story." Examines the drawbacks of teaching the type of Western civilization course advocated by Gagnon and argues that schools should continue the quest for a teachable approach to world history. Includes suggestions for improving the typical world history course. (GEA)