Discusses the educational purpose of historical atlases and what teachers and students can expect to find in them. Describes two categories of atlas: (1) those containing text and pictures and (2) those with maps, titles, and brief introductory comments. Argues that the geographic circumstances of historical processes are important. Suggests that…

Describes the second map printed in Europe which appeared in 1475. Provides background information that teachers to help students grasp the fundamental aspects of the map. Explores the map as a whole, its details and parts, and the significance of the map for studying the world view of Europeans preceding Columbus's discoveries. (DK)

This teaching guide explores the history of the Chesapeake and Ohio (C & O) National Historic Park, its building and its times. The lesson can be used in units on the early industrial period of U.S. history and in courses on geography or science and technology. Students realize the role canals played in western expansion and in the evolution…

Traces the history of the debate over the status of social studies as a discipline. Discusses the events in the battle between a federated curriculum based on history and a fusionist curriculum. Urges that the debate be ended on the grounds that social studies is not, and never has been, a discipline. (DK)

Describes Ptolemy's map of the world. Discusses the idea of mapping the ecumene or known world. Lists Ptolemy's map making conventions still in use today including location of north at the top, 90 degrees latitude between the equator and each pole, and style of representing physical features. Emphasizes Ptolemy's view of the world as dynamic. (DK)

Provides a partial listing of works found in the ERIC database on the debate between those who support social studies as a discipline and those who would replace it with history and geography courses. Includes articles, reports, and reviews covering various aspects of the debate. (DK)

Describes a woodcut of the earliest map printed in a vernacular language, circa 1480. Discusses the location and representation of paradise, the winds, rivers, the world sea and islands, countries, and cities. Emphasizes the map as a world view of the late Middle Ages representing the popular culture of the time. (DK)

Discusses the use of travel photographs as original sources in geography and other social studies classrooms. Contends that students can learn about other places and people through analysis of the photographs. Includes suggested sources and activities for using the photographs. (CFR)

There is an important relationship between history and geography that needs greater emphasis in the social studies curriculum. By emphasizing the temporal and spatial relationships in geography and history, geographers can help develop curriculum that focuses upon the fundamental themes in geography, the relationship of the themes to the study of…

The year 2003 marks the bicentennial of the 1803 Treaty of France, by which the United States of America acquired the Louisiana Territory, an area of more than 828,000 square miles. Upon this acquisition, known as the Louisiana Purchase, the territory of the United States doubled. Historians consider the Louisiana Purchase to be a landmark event…

Discusses the development of a world history curriculum for the Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) School District. Describes a program rooted in chronology and geography with interpretive frameworks for comparative study of change in diverse civilizations. Lists reawakening teachers' interest, updating training, and extending resource availability as…

Contends that historical geography helps teachers understand the link between history and geography. Presents an annotated bibliography of recommended geography books for teachers. Asserts that the most essential volume is an atlas of U.S. history. (CFR)

Reviews the history of cartography. Describes the contributions of Strabo and Ptolemy in early maps. Identifies the work of Gerhard Mercator as the most important advancement in mapping. Discusses present mapping standards from history. (CW)

Argues that dispute between history and social studies in the curriculum is not recent but goes back 75 years. Asserts the term "social studies" is not a separate discipline but simply an umbrella term to describe the broad field of social subjects offered in the school curriculum. Calls for an end to the dispute between history and…

This compendium of information and ideas is intended as a resource for teachers introducing the study of Oregon history to elementary school children. Brief discussions of 42 topics are followed by suggestions for classroom activities using this information. The topics include the various state symbols, Indian legends, the origin of the state…