Primary sources can be very important in the teaching of history, as they expose students to historical concepts in ways that books and articles cannot. Primary sources, such as historical documents, capture the interest of students and personalize and humanize history for the student. Use of such sources also helps the students develop important…

The life of James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," and his role in U.S. history are discussed in this guide to an educational program designed to acquaint students with Madison prior to a class field trip to his home, Montpelier. An essay on Madison and the Constitution is included, as well as a vocabulary list, a historic…

This document is intended as a resource guide for teachers to use in helping students to understand how the United States system of government operates. It examines the background, historical application, and current debate concerning the principle of checks and balances. Ten study sheets feature various figures and episodes prominently associated…

This teaching unit, one of a series of eight, reviews business's overall response to World War II, and specifically one company's involvement in the nationwide call to mobilize. Learning activities consist of class discussion and small group participation focusing on activities undertaken by businesses on behalf of U.S. war efforts. Materials from…

In 1864, President Lincoln was frustrated by the inability of Union Generals to defeat Robert E. Lee's forces. Lincoln looked to the western theater of the Civil War to find a winning leader, General Ulysses S. Grant. In March 1864, Grant took command of the entire Union army and began to wage a war of attrition to destroy Lee's army, its civilian…

Teachers can create an interest in the founding period of U.S. history and present students with an authentic view of this time period through the presentation of this play. The dramatic pretense of the play is that the audience, by their presence, is part of the drama. The audience plays the part of travelers visiting a Philadelphia home in the…

How some nations are motivated by political or geo-political considerations when denouncing human rights abuses is examined. Examples from US and Russian foreign policies are discussed. (RM)

In this unit of study high school students read and discuss U.S. newspaper articles reporting the trial and execution of the French king Louis XVI. Students look for key words and phrases that might indicate a subtle favorable or unfavorable opinion. (RM)

Folksongs can be used with all students at all grade levels. Teacher guidelines are provided and three musical themes--whaling in New England, the California Gold Rush, and loggers and lumbering--are used to illustrate how to use folksongs in the classroom. (RM)

This project involves secondary students in selecting and researching an event in U.S. history and writing a poetic ballad, from a first person point of view. Completed works are presented at a school assembly. (RM)

The Vietnam War appeared to give rise to the "imperial presidency," and then, when the war became protracted and divisive to contribute to the Congressional reassertion of power. But Vietnam really only intensified and accelerated a movement that, in one way or another, would have taken place anyway. (RM)

How the story paper, a popular 19th-century literary form, can be used to teach secondary students about the historical experience of women between 1840 and 1890 is described. The historical background of the story paper is discussed. A student handout explaining how to write a story paper is included. (RM)

Discusses how the decimal monetary system was created, considering colonial currency, continental currency, money under the Articles of Confederation, and money under the Constitution. Also discusses how money is taught in arithmetic textbooks during these times. (JN)

Harold Herber's self-paced, self-teaching book, "Teaching Reading in the Content Area," can be used by social studies teachers to develop lessons that help students read, write, and think. A sample U.S. history lesson which uses techniques from Herber's book to help students learn about the Declaration of Independence is presented. (RM)

Few people knew Eleanor Roosevelt as well as author Joseph P. Lash, author of the Pulitzer prize-winning "Eleanor and Franklin." In this interview Lash talks about Mrs. Roosevelt's personal characteristics, her educational theories, the role she played in attracting minorities to the Democratic Party, and FDR's influence on her. (RM)