Suggestions for a study unit on the Constitution, the times in which it was written, the Constitutional Convention, and how it affects children's lives today are offered. Resources are listed. (MT)

Suggestions for a study unit for intermediate grades on the Viking discovery of North America are offered. Class activities and resources are listed. (MT)

Presents a listing of historical books for elementary school students by author Jean Fritz; includes a poster and a calendar with daily class activities to teach students about famous historical figures. (SM)

Students can learn to appreciate history as readers and writers of historical fiction. This section presents an introduction to historical fiction, a display idea, a mystery history game, discussion of character-building, charts for students to fill in with information on historical characters, suggestions for customizing writing centers and for…

Describes how to use authentic documents and artifacts to make history and literature come to life, describing a fourth grade study of the Pilgrims that involves using an excerpt from a 1622 journal, "Mourt's Relation," published 2 years after the Mayflower sailed. Students translate the excerpt into modern English, then illustrate a…

The history and importance of the Statue of Liberty is developed into a teaching unit. Background information on how and why the statue was built is given. Sample activities for classroom use are included. (DF)

A social studies wax museum can teach elementary students facts as they celebrate Halloween. A primary activity has students determine historic scenes to include in the wax museum, practice their poses, and put on a Halloween show. An intermediate activity has students research historic events, interpret information, create backdrops and props,…

Presented are activities and teaching strategies designed to make history real to students, to develop in them, first, a sense of personal involvement with the past, and second, a time-sense and historical perspective. Suggestions include use of biography, historical fiction, oral history, genealogy, role playing, and time-lines. (Author/SJL)

Studying architectural styles is an exciting way to make history come alive and to help students feel a part of their community. This teacher's guide includes several classroom activities, a historical guide to American architectural styles, a list of resources, and a reproducible student worksheet. (IAH)

A teaching unit to help students explore daily life during the Middle Ages is presented. Techniques for teaching about the medieval social structure, feudal rights and objectives, living arrangements, agricultural practices, and suggestions for building a replica of a medieval village are included. (PP)

Recommended activities include: (1) etymology exercises for elementary school students; (2) a search for information about Alexander the Great; (3) monthly inspections of the school yard to observe environmental changes; and (4) an art history unit on Cro-Magnon cave drawings. An interdisciplinary unit on transportation is included. (PP)

A fifth-grade teacher discusses why she teaches with historical fiction, presenting tips on choosing good historical fiction, reviewing her favorite new historical fiction books, and highlighting how to use historical fiction to teach by discussing Pocahontas to help students differentiate between make-believe and history. (SM)

This teaching guide provides across-the-curriculum hands-on activities, reproducibles, and resources for elementary teachers and students. The material teaches about Columbus's journey with sensitivity and respect for different points of view, offering opportunities to teach basic skills and lessons on how to interpret history. (SM)

An elementary level teaching unit that explores immigration helps boost students' thinking skills, command of history, and appreciation of the nation's diversity. The unit focuses on reasons for emigrating to America, understanding the past, immigration today, and bridging the past and present. Three reproducibles are included. (SM)

Twenty-three classroom projects are suggested, involving use of: (1) poetry and other language arts skills; (2) basketball terminology; (3) Thanksgiving themes; (4) history and geography; and (5) bulletin board ideas. (PP)