Maintaining that resources for students learning about Africa must provide clear, comprehensive, and accurate factual coverage and should excite student interest, this article suggests a variety of Africa-related materials, including yearbooks, periodicals, geography texts, encyclopedias, and political publications from African organizations. (DB)

Describes a teaching activity which encourages junior high and high school students to analyze a city geographically and historically by using materials available from a Chamber of Commerce or Bureau of Tourism. (CK)

Since the end of the Cold War, and more recently since September 11, 2001, relations between the United States and Russia have reached new levels of cooperation and accommodation. At the same time, many important developments in Russia remain cloaked by government intrigue or obscured by the complexity of Russia's political and cultural past. This…

This teaching packet, designed for students in grades 6 through 9, explores the role of rulers in ancient Mesopotamian society and examines the depiction of those rulers in Mesopotamian art. Students are encouraged to compare present-day political leaders with ancient Mesopotamian rulers. The guide includes: (1) background information for…

These units of study and learning activities for use in secondary social studies classes will help students better understand the complex situation in South Africa and prepare them to make wise and effective decisions about U.S. policy toward South Africa in the crucial years ahead. (RM)

This book focuses on improving geography skills and knowledge of basic concepts for grades 4-8, through a variety of activities and resources. The book is divided into six sections that combine to make it convenient for use. The sections include: (1) "Map Reading Skills"; (2) "Geography Concepts and Definitions"; (3)…

Eight units which depict the people and geography of Canada are featured in this document. Learning is facilitated through the use of maps, case studies, charts, graphs, sketches, photographs, and drawings which appear throughout the units. To help organize the information four symbols are used to indicate the concepts being explained. The symbol…

Contains a collection of comments by Russians about their country and the U.S.; gives questions for discussion with secondary and college students. The statements serve to stimulate discussion and, together with additional study, may provide valuable information about the life style and living conditions in the Soviet Union. (AM)

This World Bank (Washington, D.C.) kit is designed to teach secondary school social studies students the impact of rapid urbanization on Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. The kit contains a pamphlet, a booklet, a filmstrip, and a teacher's guide. The pamphlet, "An Economic Summary of Indonesia" provides students with the structure,…

This textbook highlights key aspects of Japan's history and culture from the Tokugawa era (1600-1868) to the present. The textbook includes role plays, primary documents, first-person accounts, diary entries, excerpts from literary works, songs, poems, maps and timelines, charts and graphs, and political cartoons. It also includes a glossary that…

Tomb art provides an invaluable window into China's history and culture. The understanding that spirits of dead ancestors can exert power and influence over the lives of their descendants has been a central tenet of the Chinese belief system, propelling the culture into practices ensuring the provision of comfort and status to the deceased in…

This book provides students with information about culture and trace important historical events that have brought this nation to its current position in the 20th century. Each chapter provides background information along with a glossary, student activities, and project suggestions. Chapters include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "The…

An examination of Antarctica, from the first sightings to the heroic explorations of the late 18th and early 19th centuries to modern-day research, is presented in this book. Twelve chapters are as follows: (1) The search begins; (2) Whalers and sealers: bites and nibbles; (3) The new continent: first sight; (4) Wintering: the first party; (5)…

These lessons were written by African social studies specialists for U.S. middle school students to stimulate interest in and develop a positive attitude toward Africans and their culture. Each lesson provides objectives, materials, teaching procedures, and is meant to be used as a textbook supplement. To promote understanding of young Africans,…

This document examines development efforts in Africa. While discussing issues in an African context, the document challenges students to consider a wider, global context. Africa, with its history of colonialism, its fragile soil, its expanding population, its struggle to provide people with the basic means of existence, illustrates very starkly…