A model for designing a social studies unit for able (gifted) students that has no national boundaries or time, event, and cultural limitations is explained and illustrated by a diagram. The conceptual model provides an example built around the concept of leadership styles. (SEW)

Wiktor Kulerski, Deputy Minister of Poland's Ministry of Education, and Andrzej Janowski, a Vice-Minister of Education, members of the Solidarity union's teachers branch, discuss their involvement with the union that forced democratic reforms in Poland's Communist government and ensuing changes in the Polish social studies curriculum. (FMW)

Reviews seven recent Canadian political history books: a volume in the Canadian Centennial Series, three books on provincial and three on national politics. Stresses the importance of political history in presenting new information and interpretations to students. (KC)

Legislative influence on the process of curriculum development is examined in this study of the Louisiana Legislature's Bill proposing a required course in the "Free Enterprise System" for high school students. The origins of the Bill, the debate for and against, and implications for curriculum research are outlined. (JMF)

In 1893 the last monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili'uokalani, was overthrown by a party of U.S. businessmen, who then imposed a provisional government. Soon after, U.S. President Benjamin Harrison submitted a treaty to annex the Hawaiian Islands to the U.S. Senate for ratification. In 1897, the treaty effort was blocked when the Hawaiian Patriotic…

Unit 4 of the six-unit Indiana history series designed to be taught in Indiana secondary schools covers the years from 1880 to 1929, from President Garfield's assassination to the inauguration of President Hoover. Each chapter is divided into short sections that describe events and is followed by questions to reinforce the learning. The many…

Uses recent freedom of expression cases to explore the effect of public opinion and pressure on U.S. Supreme Court rulings, through a simulation for secondary students. Students are assigned a pressure group to represent, discuss the facts in small groups, and formulate their decisions and arguments for class discussion. (LS)

In 1988-89, a one-year course in world history/cultures was added to the list of courses required for graduation in the state of New Jersey, becoming the third required course in social studies. The course is intended to provide students with historical knowledge to better meet the demands of the world and to make the informed decisions that are…

The National Institute for Curriculum Development (SLO) in the Netherlands originated in 1975 to evaluate and redesign existing curricula and to coordinate programs at various levels. The SLO Humanities department, which includes the subjects of geography, history, and economics, has been engaged in curriculum development in lower vocational and…

Stresses the idea that students today must understand the importance of the political, economic, and social process that were prevalent in the postbellum South if they are to understand the subsequent events of the twentieth century. Discusses a number of works that will provide background information of this nature. (KO)

The booklet is part of a grade 10-12 social studies series produced for bilingual education. The series consists of six major thematic modules, with four to five booklets in each. The interdisciplinary modules are based on major ideas and are designed to help students understand some major human problems and make sound, responsive decisions to…

This 3- to 5-day currriculum unit for secondary students centers around four possible directions for U.S. foreign policy during the 1990s. Designed as a culminating exercise at the end of the year or as an introductory activity to open the semester, this unit, and the possible futures it presents, should be thought of as a vehicle for guiding…

Finds that the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools' report, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century," emphasis on multiethnic perspectives is sparse and sporadic. Observes that its chronological approach to history and textbook emphasis discourages understanding of ethnicity. Criticizes teacher education…

Examines the concept of political socialization and the sources of distinctiveness in Canadian political life. Focuses on relations between French and English Canada, regional differences, governmental machinery, civic education, and media influences. (DB)

This document is part of a series of units in United States history. It is designed for teachers to use in teaching colonial history and the American Revolution in greater depth than that provided in many textbooks. The unit contains 16 chapters, the first of which explains the unit's focus on four kinds of questions of interest to historians.…