Discusses Hilda Taba's ideas and influence on the social studies curriculum and her work on a project to develop instructional guides for social studies teachers. Explores the importance of developing multiple objectives and organizing subject matter into key concepts, organizing ideas, and specific facts. Recommends emphasis on thinking, people,…

Reports on a study trip by 13 U.S. social studies educators and publishers to Japan. Compares development, marketing, and selection of textbooks in the United States and Japan. Concludes that both nations should improve textbooks and textbook selection processes. (CFR)

Describes the rationale, instructional objectives, and instructional procedures of the National Issues Forum program for secondary social studies. Asserts that the program's content and learning strategies develop and improve student's decision-making skills and knowledge of significant contemporary issues. Contends that business and corporate…

Reviews 10 resources on First Amendment issues and related social studies topics available from the Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC). Presents information pertinent both to the classroom teacher and to school administrators concerned about First Amendment issues. Gives annotated bibliographical information. (CH)

Asserts that stereotyped images often interfere with accurate and effective instruction about Latin America. Describes the "traveling suitcases program" developed by the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida. Compares the strengths and deficiencies of the traveling suitcase concept of instructional materials.…

Reviews reports from several professional organizations on recommendations about education for participatory citizenship. Reports on a study of 3,000 teachers in grades 1-3 from 7 midwestern states on the characteristics of social studies programs. Recommends four approaches to foster developmental social studies instruction. (CFR)

Presents reviews of five books dealing with the origins, development, and contemporary role of the United Nations. Categorizes the books into "general" and "academic" publications. Asserts that these books will help dispel the cynical attitudes about public service, international politics, and the United Nations itself. (CFR)

Discusses recommendations for the change of social studies curricula made by the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools (NCSSS). Suggests that classroom impact of the report will depend on who likes, who opposes, and who is apathetic to the recommendations. Argues that tradition, state control of public education, and the textbook…

Reports on a study of how the three-way encounter among Europeans, the indigenous Americans, and Africans is presented in six secondary U.S. history textbooks. Describes the evaluation instrument and process used to review the textbook content. Concludes that teachers should use supplementary materials to ensure balance. (CFR)

Reviews research on citizenship education related to instructional strategies, instructional resources, and curriculum priorities. Concludes that students who work on student publications such as the school newspaper develop more effective decision-making and other critical-thinking skills. Proposes several action steps to improve citizenship…

Describes the history, culture, cultural geography, and current place in the school curriculum of American Indians of the southeastern United States. Contends that American Indians are both ignored and stereotyped in most social studies instructional materials. Provides an annotated bibliography of recommended materials for teachers and students.…

Discusses key concerns regarding issues of rationale, methodology, and resources when teaching about the Holocaust. Identifies 12 objectives and 5 content criteria for the topic. Includes five frequently asked questions about the Holocaust and their answers from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (CFR)

Maintains that any historical literature needs to be evaluated both as history and literature. Presents a review of recommended books for teaching about the Holocaust. Asserts that no single book can convey the full story and true horror of that historical period. (CFR)