Civic learning for all students seems like a reasonable and important aim for all schools to achieve. If we believe that the future of our American democracy depends on a citizenry that is informed, engaged, and responsible, what better place to create future citizens than in schools? The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools…

On an earlier column titled "What I learned at the NCSS Annual Meeting," the author wrote about the Internet-oriented materials and resources featured at the 2006 NCSS convention in Washington, D.C. Having received many e-mails from readers telling him that they appreciated having the opportunity to see which companies, not-for-profit,…

Examines trends in K-12 social studies education in Marin County, California. The case study was conducted during the 1976-1977 school year. One serious problem is the lack of money for social studies materials. In the elementary schools the amount of time devoted to social studies has declined because of increasing emphasis on the basics.…

Discusses California's Technology in the Curriculum Project for History/Social Science which was designed to identify technology resources, both computer and video, that were of appropriate technical quality to support social studies instruction. Explores the matching of television programs to instructional objectives, highlighting the potential…

Presents a lesson plan about the Keys' Desert Queen Ranch, located in the Joshua Tree National Park (California), that can be used in a unit on U.S. western expansion or desert environments. Explains students learn about life on a homestead and Ralph Waldo Emerson's ideas on self-reliance. (CMK)

Presents a lesson plan on the early settlement of California by Spanish and Mexican colonists. Discusses the physical and cultural changes in the region from Spanish colonial days to modern times. Includes two primary source readings, two maps, and diagrams of a colonial ranch site, now on the National Register of Historic Places. (CFR)