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)

This paper presents the position of the Organization of History Teachers (OHT) regarding the development of national history standards by the National Standards Project. The OHT position suggests that the Project should recognize that standards aiming for excellence in precollege history teaching require changes in the education of teachers, the…

This book offers ideas about using primary sources to enhance students' understandings of history. It discusses the following resources, methods, and ideas: types of primary sources; tips on finding and preparing primary sources for student use; personal, local, and remote history activities; detailed descriptions of diverse projects; guidelines…

Fourth-grade students, wishing to expand upon what they learned about William Penn in their textbooks, sent in questions to the director of social studies in the Reading (Pennsylvania) schools. The director referred the students to sources (some primary) that would answer their questions. (KC)

A museum program in Montreal encourages elementary and secondary school students to examine their surroundings and neighborhoods. Units focus on stained glass windows, houses, history of Montreal, the neighborhood, and architectural heritage. (KC)

Designed for a ninth grade gifted history class, this interdisciplinary unit of study includes critical examination of two interpretations of the character of Shakespeare's Richard III. (RM)

Textbooks treat Afro-American history with a general unevenness, with little attention to Afro-American thoughts and activities. A theme that runs consistently throughout American history is the exclusion of Afro-Americans from the concept of American "people." There should be a two-pronged approach to examining this theme in the classroom. (AM)

A photograph of the Lincoln Memorial under construction is a useful primary source for studying topics in United States history. Seven suggested teaching strategies are listed. (AM)

Describes resources used to teach local history at the third-grade level in El Cajon, California. The content of the resources is described as well as the methods used to develop the resources. (AM)

Describes a method to help students become participants in historical analysis rather than observers of ancient history. Mesopotamia is used as a case study of a culture for which opportunities exist for conjecture, hypothesis formation, research, extrapolation, problem solving, and statements of causality. (Author/DB)

Suggests that oral history can provide significant experiences that promote identity, empathy, moral sensitivity, community building, and decision making. Students interact with diverse groups of people, thus breaking down social isolation in the school curriculum. (Author/KC)

Outlines methods for including skill testing in teacher-made history tests. Focuses on distinguishing fact and fiction, evaluating the reliability of a source, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, recognizing statements which support generalizations, testing with media, mapping geo-politics, and applying knowledge to new…

This article outlines a conceptual framework for a high school or college level unit on local history and demonstrates use of the framework through a case study of Whitehall, Georgia. Information is presented on planning the unit, selecting a community, teaching methods, collecting data, and identifying likely sources of information on community…

Uses of three-dimensional objects in college level history courses are described, including using artifacts to enliven and invigorate classroom teaching and to convey a sense of the past to students. Journal available from Loren E. Pennington, Division of Social Sciences, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas 66801. (DB)

Noting that college history teachers must often contend with student reading problems, the article recommends ways of improving student comprehension of textbooks. Methods center on selecting a proper textbook and on having students preview, paraphrase, analyze, and review. Journal available from Loren E. Pennington, Division of Social Sciences,…