Discusses the historical and ecological significance of Christopher Columbus' contacts with the Americas. Suggests that 1992's Columbian quincentennial can be an occasion for improving teaching about Columbus. Underscores teachers' responsibility to provide a multidimensional view of the explorer's times. Cites the need to balance teaching about…

The year 2003 marks the bicentennial of the 1803 Treaty of France, by which the United States of America acquired the Louisiana Territory, an area of more than 828,000 square miles. Upon this acquisition, known as the Louisiana Purchase, the territory of the United States doubled. Historians consider the Louisiana Purchase to be a landmark event…

The principles embodied in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 served as an intellectual highway over which poured the westward march of this nation. The story of the Northwest Territory's acquisition and the enactment of the Ordinance of 1787 is related through nine lessons and accompanying documents. Each lesson is designed to complement the…

Describes the content, structure, and instructional characteristics of video programs and print materials prepared by the author with the Agency for Instructional Technology for teaching geography within the context of U.S. history in high school courses. Each of 10 video programs focuses on a major period of U.S. history. Discusses the…

The voyage of Columbus in 1492 is a turning point in world history. After 1492, people and civilizations of long-separated regions began to develop connections that have led to the incipient global community of the 1990s. It is their global significance that justifies a prominent place in today's curriculum for the four voyages of Columbus to the…

This paper focuses on the current trends and issues in social studies education based on the literature that passes through the ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education (Indiana). Four trends pertaining to teaching content in history, geography, civics, and science in society have emerged from a review of the literature.…

These curriculum materials about various aspects of the United States Constitution are designed as supplements to high school courses in history, civics, and government. They include 60 original lessons for students, accompanied by lesson plans for teachers, and are divided into five chapters. Chapter I, "Documents of Freedom" includes…

Designed to accompany a series of 10 20-minute video programs, this teaching guide helps students to use geographical principles and concepts in order to better understand major historical development. The series uses the five basic geographic themes to enhance student understanding of significant events in U.S. history: location, place,…

Recent state-level curriculum frameworks have emphasized geography and history as core subjects of the social studies sequence of courses, from kindergarten through the twelfth grade. This Digest presents a rationale for the connection between geography and history, presents ideas for developing this connection within the curriculum, and…

Suggests methods of teaching about the voyages of Columbus to develop students' knowledge and cognitive skills. Presents five keys to accuracy and balance in teaching about Columbus: emphasize biological and cultural exchange; apply the major geographic themes; examine events in their historical context; present multiple viewpoints; and use…

Directed to secondary school teachers of history, government, and civics, this book is designed to fit common educational objectives in secondary school curriculum guides that call for teaching and learning about the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. The volume is intended to encourage careful reading, analysis, and classroom…

This teacher's guide was designed to accompany 16 short video programs that trace the social and cultural development of the United States and show that today's society is the result of diverse historical events, ideas, and people. The guide provides program summaries, ideas for discussion, review questions, and extra credit projects. Spanish,…

Reaffirms the importance of civic education and active learning about the Bill of Rights and attendant civic responsibilities. Identifies four categories of knowledge deficiencies about the Bill of Rights. Explores four key ways to improve teaching and learning about the Bill of Rights. Stresses connections between civic knowledge and the vitality…

Offers suggestions for teaching constitutional issues and the Bill of Rights. Observes that student achievement and response is significant when core content, primary documents, and case studies are employed. Describes procedures for class discussions and recommends U.S. Supreme Court landmark cases for freedom of the press and speech issues. (NL)