This paper presents an imaginary conversation between an interviewer and the novelist, James Michener (1907-1997). Starting with Michener's early life experiences in Doylestown (Pennsylvania), the conversation includes his family's poverty, his wanderings across the United States, and his reading at the local public library. The dialogue includes…

This teaching guide for grades K-1 focuses on the 1999-2000 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Program, which includes new quarter designs for the following states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia. The guide includes six lesson plans that fit easily…

This teaching guide for grades 2-3 focuses on the 1999-2000 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Program, which includes new quarter designs for the following states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia. The guide includes six lesson plans that fit easily…

Front and center in 2001 domestic policy debates is President George W. Bush's proposed tax relief plan. The U.S. federal tax is a progressive tax code, predicated on the assumption that "people who are most able to pay should pay the most." A progressive tax system makes an individual's tax bill increase faster than his/her income. The…

"Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators" is the first book to show the connection between accepted educational theories and chess. The relationship of chess to academic and humanistic educational goals is convincingly illustrated as curriculum and psychological theories from John D. McNeil, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and Howard Gardner…

Civics is an area of study in which students learn about the rights and duties of citizens. In the Junior Secondary Social Studies Curriculum in Canada, civics is integrated with all other components of social studies. The civics themes identified in this book are not explicitly stated in the social studies curriculum, but rather, a reading of the…

The first in a 3-volume series, this book presents instructional units on cultural universals for primary grade social studies. This volume focuses on food, clothing, and shelter, and includes information about how and why it was developed and suggestions about planning and implementing the units. Its content is elementary and familiar in that it…

These lessons are based on U.S. Census 2000 results, focusing on changes in the United States during the 1990s. Students construct choropleth (thematic) maps, analyze information from tables and maps, discuss the impact of the Census 2000 apportionment counts on their state and the United States, and calculate population totals. Lessons include…

The Arkansas social studies standards reflect the integrated field of the social studies as well as the major concepts and skills of the primary disciplines within the social studies. Five strands and numerous content standards provide a broad conceptual framework that teachers can use to organize integrated social studies units for the lower…

Thirty years ago a cashless society was predicted for the near future; paper currency and checks would be an antiquated symbol of the past. Consumers would embrace a new alternative for making payments: electronic money. But currency is still used for 87% of payments, mainly for "nickel and dime" purchases. And checks are the payment…

This text provides a solid theoretical base in social studies education at the secondary level. The text can be used as a basic methods textbook for teacher candidates or as a curriculum/instruction resource for practicing social studies teachers. The text focuses on instructional development; incorporates national standards through numerous…

The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) has proposed a set of social studies guidelines to direct the manner in which teachers function within classrooms. This paper questions not whether there should be standards, but which standards. The paper first discusses the quest for certitude, noting that a teacher is not a farmer who tends…

This curriculum packet is about the Kansas state capitol. The packet contains six graphic organizers for students to complete. The packets are divided into three sections (with their accompanying graphic organizers): (1) "Symbolism of the Kansas Capitol Dome Statue" (Who Are the Kansa?; Finding Your Way; Say It Again); (2) "Topping…

This volume describes Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) programs in the social sciences and humanities and documents their feasibility and desirability. It summarizes the lessons learned in the PFF initiative. The chapters are: (1) "A New Vision for Doctoral Preparation"; (2) "Strategies for Establishing a PFF Program"; (3) "Content of PFF Programs";…

This paper defines globalization as the acceleration and intensification of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations. The paper states that questions as to globalization's effects on the world would probably be answered in different ways in different countries. It discusses the three tensions of…