Maintains that historical fiction provides children with the opportunity to vicariously live the events of the past, learn about their heritage, and develop a sense of the sweep of history. Recommends several books covering different historical periods and includes related instructional activities. (MJP)

Presents brief excerpts from the presidential papers of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, James Polk, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. The excerpts address such matters as voting rights, limited government, political appointments, national security, and the balance of power. (MJP)

Traces the late-nineteenth-century movement to raise the U.S. flag at public schools, Americanize immigrant students, and inspire patriotism through flag exercises and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Identifies political opposition. Relates this history to the June 1989, Supreme Court decision, stating flag burning was protected under the…

Examines British teachers' efforts to revitalize the teaching of British history to primary school students, using field trips and curricular materials that enliven history. Investigates the challenges facing British history teachers to illuminate the recent U.S. efforts at curriculum development. Observes British teaching activities to identify…

Examines an 1876 letter from a missionary to Ferdinand V. Hayden in the context of the U.S. government's policy of instituting religious education and training for Native Americans. Provides a photocopy of the letter and outlines class activities designed to help students analyze the document. (DB)

Describes the qualities of African-American quilts. Explains how to organize a classroom to reflect the polyrhythmic structure of the African-American culture and its quilts. This allows students to experience a different culture and therefore judge it by its own standards rather than by the norms of White middle-class America. (JS)

Points out the contributions of the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT) in understanding the relationship between technology and the development of civilization. Surveys books and articles that deal with this theme. Suggests that the history of technology provides a wealth of insight and information for secondary education. (RW)

Traces the life and inventions of Thomas A. Edison up to the invention of electrical incandescent lighting in 1881. Focuses on the process that Edison followed in developing incandescent lighting, including financial aspects, other competitors in the field, and the eventual establishment of the Edison Electric Light Companies. (RW)

Evaluates "Facing Today and the Future: Choosing to Participate," a resource book about citizenship in which students are asked to think about their role in the U.S. democracy through an investigation of case studies about individuals and groups who have tried to make a difference. Recommends this volume as a valuable resource for…

Presents a biographical sketch and teaching activities on the life of Thomas Jefferson. Asserts that the world's political geography changed dramatically during his lifetime and presents a classroom lesson on this topic. Includes a chronology of Jefferson's life and six quotations exemplifying his political and social views. (CFR)

Presents a lesson based on Decatur House, the home of Stephen Decatur, a military commander during the war with the Barbary Pirates and the War of 1812. Outlines student objectives and three learning activities. Includes four student readings, one map, three drawings, and two photographs. (CFR)

Presents instructional activities that bring "real world" content to the study of World War II by elementary students. Includes experiential activities such as interviews, guest speakers, visits to war memorials, and reading fiction and biographies. Includes an "All-American Matching Exercise" emphasizing cultural pluralism. (CFR)

Reports on the history and development of courses on American studies and history in Israeli higher education. Concludes that learning about the United States is deeply embedded in the Israeli university, and U.S. historians have an important role in advancing that study. (CFR)

Describes instructional strategies and content for a course titled "Those Fabulous (?) Sixties." Discusses the course structure outlining four paradigms of social science research and action. Maintains that the course helps students know more about themselves, their values, and their relationships to society. (CFR)

Maintains that little is written for elementary and middle school students about the World War II Japanese internment camps. Asserts that the issue can help teach about democratic principles and citizenship. Presents a role-playing dialog on the topic and includes recommended materials for students and teachers. (CFR)