Describes how social studies teachers can help students to evaluate generalizations made about ethnic and racial groups. Discussed are kinds of questions which can be used to distinguish between ethnic commentary which is perceptive, informative, and contributive to intergroup harmony and that which is shallow, spiteful, and inimical to human…

Suggestions to help social studies teachers use historical fiction and biography to teach critical reading to intermediate grade students are made. For example, teachers should help students to check various sources for the author's qualifications, purpose, and bias and assist students in analyzing language and writing style. (RM)

Suggests activities for fostering critical reading skills in social studies. Activities include assigning reporting roles to students; asking students to create a cartoon or a slogan; requiring students to review a favorite television program; and helping students identify exaggeration. (KO)

This guide presents public sculpture as an effective instructional tool, with the primary emphasis on works contributing to a sense of national or community identity. Sculptures are introduced according to the chronology of persons or events commemorated. The 10 lessons focus on United States history from the Civil War to the present. Unit 1:…

Responds to critiques of the National Commission for Social Studies in the Schools' curriculum report, "Charting A Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century" (Social Education, Nov-Dec, 1990). Contends that the guideline provides for citizenship education, disciplined knowledge, and reflective education. Argues that the debate…

With the end of the Civil War just 30 years past, the organizers of the Atlanta (Georgia) 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition sought to demonstrate the South's national patriotism and progressivism. While the exhibits at the exposition widely varied, among the most ambitious undertakings were the displays of fine arts found in the Fine…

Recommends using an activity-based approach to art history similar to that of the "new social studies" movement of the 1960s. Provides suggestions for activities related to art criticism, style, and inductive learning. Concludes that student activities can help integrate art history and studio art in art education programs. (CFR)

Presents a sample lesson plan using Discipline Based Art Education (DBAE), an approach that integrates social studies with related content from other disciplines. The lesson plan combines economics, art history, aesthetics, and art criticism in its "Analysis of a Fresco Depicting Production in an American City." Includes follow-up…

This study of Pakistan provides students and teachers an opportunity to understand the political, religious, and literary accomplishments of the Pakistanis. This project is uses slides to show the beauty of Pakistan and its people. A map indicating the distance between Miami, Florida and Pakistan is provided along with a 5-item reference list of…

An inquiry method for learning art history assumes that students will be more interested if they conduct their own research about artists, works of art, and cultures. The collection of the following types of information will help guide their inquiry: description of the work of art, techniques and materials used, where the artist lived, purpose of…

This resource guide contains lessons, suggested activities, and 54 individual student activity sheets for using editorial cartoons in the classroom. Editorial cartoons, at their best, are well-thought out arguments about important issues in the news. They are meant to provoke thought, not merely assert a position and, as such, they engage the…

This project seeks to bring an immediacy and interest to historical events through the use of Hollywood feature films. Some of the films used to promote interest in history are "Inherit the Wind,""All the President's Men,""The Birth of a Nation," and "Reds." Films used in the class should be available on videocassettes because they are less…

This teacher's guide gives practical suggestions for engaging intermediate level students in a study of portraits, based on the assumption that through the image both the sitter and artist reveal something about themselves and the intended purpose of the portrait. Organized in four chapters, Chapter 1, "Talking to the Wall," looks at the…

An examination of 19th century U.S. art and literature reveals the country's strong identification with nature, the ideals of individual freedom and pioneer courage, and the faith in human nature embraced by the immigrants who expanded the country. In the 17th and 18th centuries, U.S. painting reflected the styles and standards of English art. By…

This book presents art appreciation lessons to encourage students to see works of art in two ways, as objects that are interesting in themselves and as objects that spark further exploration. Organized with an introduction and 4 sections subdivided into 8 lessons, each lesson, based on an artwork from the Smithsonian Institution's collection,…