This teacher's guide on the 50 state quarters produced by the United States Mint includes six lesson plans that fit easily into the social studies curriculum for grades 4-6. The lesson plans include reproducible student work pages that coincide with each lesson; state facts and information about the 2001 state quarter designs (New York, North…

The Kentucky History Center (Frankfort), a 20,000-square-foot museum facility, is a walk through time, complete with the sights, sounds, and smells of the past. The museum's eight chronological areas feature artifacts, images, and life-size environments that evoke places in time. A ready-made reference area in the center of the exhibit provides a…

This guide to the core exhibit of the Kentucky History Center (Frankfort) focuses on the relationship between Kentuckians and the land. The guide extracts text from the exhibit's eight chronological areas and lists environments, displays, and other exhibit features to help students understand the ways people have settled, farmed, mined, and…

From 1997-2001, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council have cosponsored an annual Kentucky Folklife Festival to celebrate the traditions of diverse groups from across the state. Folklife, or folklore, includes traditions that are shared by a group of people who have a mutual background or interest. Folklore can be expressed…

This guide to the core exhibit of the Kentucky History Center (Frankfort) focuses on African American history in the commonwealth of Kentucky. The guide extracts text from seven of the exhibit's chronological areas and lists environments, displays, and other exhibit features to help students understand some of the events that shaped the African…

The National Park Service originated with the passage of the Organic Act of 1916. Since then the National Park Service and the U.S. government have designated many places to be protected, either because of their historical significance or natural significance to the nation. In Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is one of four national parks.…

Asserts that the use of multiethnic adolescent literature can help teachers create meaningful learning opportunities to explore diverse perspectives. Recommends the use of thematic literature studies and provides a framework model. Includes four multidisciplinary cognitive maps and a bibliography. (CFR)

A middle school reform initiative, sponsored by the Program for Disadvantaged Youth of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation 4 years ago, has taken hold in 12 urban middle schools nationwide. The article discusses that reform, noting the lessons about change to accommodate student diversity that urban middle schools can teach. (SM)