Proposes the establishment of a Center for Student Involvement to counteract apathy and cynicism of secondary school students toward the democratic processes. The center would serve social studies programs as a component linking the school with the community. It would function as a resource base, develop materials, and provide instruction. (KC)

Presents a rationale for introducing multiethnic studies into elementary and secondary social studies classrooms and explains how community resources can help students understand themselves and others. Learning activities based on the televised version of Alex Haley's "Roots" are suggested. (Author/DB)

Argues that school service programs involving students in volunteer community efforts should be included in democratic citizenship education. Suggests that encouraging cooperation through volunteer service combats corrosive and anti-democratic effects of excessive individualism. Lists six characteristics of effective programs, compiled by…

A rationale and framework for community-based teacher education using social studies as an example is developed. The framework includes three types of community involvement: community service programs, community-based courses and workshops, and internships or experiential programs. (RM)

Presented are practical suggestions to help teachers successfully implement an oral history magazine project modelled after "Foxfire." Four major issues are discussed: nature of the project, relationship of project to schools, relationship of project to community, and teacher-student relationship. (RM)

Maintains that many educators have recommended that public school students need to develop social action skills and participate in community service programs. Discusses student volunteer participation in community food service programs. Provides recommendations for teachers about developing such programs. (CFR)

Profiles a program developed between the schools and community of Anoka, Minnesota. Concerned about the increase in poverty, crime, and youth problems, the community involved the students in an assessment of the town's problems and created a series of service learning projects addressing those problems. (MJP)

Describes high school social studies student projects involving a study of local cemeteries. Projects include charting life expectancies, creating slide shows of community grave sites, and collecting tombstone rubbings. (KC)

Contends that barriers to effective education can be overcome by using the community as a living laboratory for social studies learning. Discusses out-of-school learning opportunities that meet four criteria: (1) goal relevance; (2) appropriate level of difficulty; (3) feasibility; and (4) cost effectiveness. (CFR)

Analyzes how schools and social studies teachers can best teach citizenship education to help student involvement. Contends that programs which empower students through participation in classroom and school decision making and through involvement in local government affairs should replace passive seatwork. Describes a Florida State University…

Describes a small group activity for grades 5 and above which emphasizes group decision making. The activity, a decision-grid process, is designed for four participants per group. The specific model presented focuses on community services and values. A bibliography of relevant resources is provided. (KC)

A local educational agency in St. Louis, the Citizenship Education Clearinghouse (CECH), works with schools to make real participation in community civic, governmental, and political affairs a possibility for students. Three CECH models for student participation in issues of national concern, in state politics, and in local issues are described.…

Explains how community legal resource persons (police officers, lawyers, law students, court employees, legislators, etc.) can contribute to high school students' understanding of the legal system. Suggestions include that the resource person's visit relate to material the class is studying and that the teacher and resource person communicate…

Presents an activity to involve student and community groups in the complexities of desegregation planning and to stimulate among participants the desire for additional data on a variety of desegregation questions. The activity is based on an imaginary city under court order to desegregate. (Author)

Describes a local history project in which high school students located valuable historic photographs on the local community and reproduced them on 35mm slides. An historic photo archive consisting of the slides accompanied by documentary materials was created. Procedures for creating and suggestions for using a photo archive are included. (KC)