Reports on a study of the classroom environment and student attitudes in 38 secondary Chinese classrooms. Finds that, despite considerable cultural and political differences, the classroom environment in social studies is remarkably similar to that in the United States. Concludes that diverse activities and active student involvement are related…

The elementary social studies curriculum should be restructured in a way that promotes a broader study of people, places, and events that are distant in space and time. The "Expanding Horizons" framework guides social studies curriculum in New Brunswick, as well as in many other Canadian provinces and the United States. It emphasizes moving from…

Asserts that professors of U.S. history have an important stake in the publication of standards for teaching history in the public schools. Discusses the development of the standards and controversies that emerged. Concludes that college historians will benefit if the voluntary standards are implemented. (CFR)

The History Academy for Ohio Teachers provided 40 Ohio teachers with an intense 4-week summer immersion in world and U.S. history and in historical theory and methods that was followed by a year-long follow up program on teaching units. Working together with college based historians, a new model was developed to help educators improve the teaching…

Presents a speech by the president of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), given at the organization's annual meeting. Discusses the national standards movement and contends that the NCSS standards integrate knowledge from the full spectrum of the social sciences and the humanities. (CFR)

The social studies curriculum recently has been subjected to many changes. New curriculum patterns coupled with more effective instructional strategies have altered significantly subject content and teaching methods. Drawing from contemporary research literature, newly developed curriculum guides, and blue-ribbon reports from content specialists…

Asserts that these are exciting times to be involved in history/social science education in California. Reviews recent trends and maintains they will have a significant impact on both preservice and inservice teacher education. Provides a preview of articles in this special theme issue on teacher education. (CFR)

This publication presents parents, teachers, and educational policy-makers with an account of history instruction in Waldorf schools. An introduction outlines the theoretical content of the Waldorf School movement, the school's emphasis on creating a unity of experience, and the evolution of history instruction through the elementary grade…

Maintains that teaching is, among other things, the art of connecting students with course content in personal, relevant, and exciting ways. Presents three classroom lessons that incorporate journals, plays, and essays into social studies teaching. Includes discussion questions and follow-up assignments. (CFR)

Asserts that societal trends make it essential that educators succeed in developing effective multicultural education. Maintains that a curriculum based on students' experiences and an interdisciplinary approach can help achieve the goals of multicultural education. (CFR)

This book presents 15 papers on the subject of what teachers must know for effective teaching. The book organizes the papers into three parts: Part I offers papers on teaching particular academic subjects, Part II offers papers on the diverse needs and types of students, and Part III offers conclusions. The following papers are in Part I: (1)…

Discusses general problems of educational pluralism in the nations of central and eastern Europe. Asserts that, contrary to many western Europeans, the nations of central and eastern Europe are very different from one another in politics, economics, and education. Reviews developments in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. (CFR)

Implemented in the Franklin (Wisconsin) Public Schools during the 1986-1987 school year, this project was aimed at improving citizenship development in high school students through an intensive study of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to the personal lives of citizens. The project's primary objective was to provide a structured program of…

An extensive study of humanities education in the nation's public schools, commissioned by the United States Congress, concludes that history, literature, and languages are inadequately taught, and most students fail to learn important knowledge about their shared past and culture. Data from a nation-wide survey reveal gross ignorance of major…

Discusses issues related to the underrepresentation of minority teachers in social studies education. Suggests that many minority college students choose occupations other than teaching. Recommends that secondary history teachers develop student involvement in history through historical research and controversial issues. (CFR)