In this article, the author provides a rationale for the use of children's literature to study Mexico and to learn a framework by which to consider people around the world and the universals of culture, including principles for using books in the unit. An appendix contains a description of children's fiction and biography, nonfiction, reference…

Presents a page from a booklet developed as part of a curriculum development project. Discusses some ideas for analysis of graphics arts. Examines maps, cartoons, illustrations, and photography. Warns against accepting that which is represented as the whole truth. Describes the imagery and cultural influences to be analyzed in maps and cartoons in…

Reminds teachers that American Indians played a major role in shaping the modern world. Notes that the indigenous peoples of the Americas introduced European American settlers to a variety of foods and agricultural methods. Argues that American Indians also contributed to U.S. concepts of democracy and federalism. Provides guidelines for teaching…

Discusses the history of the Caribbean region and issues affecting the resion. Addresses language diversity, cultural interchanges, historical and cultural realities, ideological pluralism, and efforts at area cooperation. Suggests that the cultural diversity, innovation, and creativity that are such a part of Caribbean cultures can form the basis…

Asserts that most textbooks and curriculum guides continue to ignore what most social studies acknowledge: U.S. history cannot be taught properly without frequent discussion of religious topics and issues. Discusses topics and recommends resources for including the teaching about religion in U.S. history. (CFR)

Maintains that storytelling is one of the world's oldest teaching tools and belongs in every social studies classroom. Recommends the use of Korean folk tales to help students understand Korean culture and gain insight into their own lives. Includes a list of classroom techniques, teacher's resources, and recommendations for folk tales. (CFR)

Argues that the increased interest in self-esteem over the last 20 years has dovetailed with narcissistic elements in society to produce an epidemic of egocentric behavior. Posits the development of moral education as a possible corrective to this. Includes an eight-phase model for accomplishing this. (MJP)

Describes the significance of religion in India to illustrate the importance of religious beliefs as major determinants of human behavior throughout world history. Contends that the world history course provides many opportunities to help students learn about religions and religious beliefs. (CFR)

Outlines an introductory unit in which secondary students use an anthropological perspective to investigate how and why the automobile changed U.S. culture. Instructional materials include a video series, pictorial histories, daily procedures, learning activities, and suggestions for assessment. (MJP)

Asserts that before civics/government teachers teach about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, students should be introduced to the religious and philosophical background of religions freedom in the United States. Identifies issues and historical documents that provide the foundation. (CFR)

Argues that the United States always has possessed a unified political culture (representative democracy defined by compromise and consensus) and a fragmented ethnic and social culture. Claims that concerns about the divisive effect of multicultural education confuse the two realms. Suggests some curriculum topics that address both ideas. (MJP)

Asserts that there is an important difference between history as socially constructed knowledge and as an objective, fixed account. Reports on a content analysis of three high school world history texts to determine how the meaning from them may be influenced in the content and power relations implicit in the textbook language. (CFR)