The notion of teaching social studies through inquiry is far from a new development. With the publication of the "College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History," however, there is arguably a greater emphasis on inquiry in K-12 social studies education…

This article describes and discusses a self-inquiry into curriculum practice on the part of a New Zealand-based social studies educator. The approach used was adapted from Barber's Gestalt approach to holistic inquiry. It is a qualitative approach in which the self-aware practitioner-researcher and his (or her) interactions with others is at the…

Evidence-informed collaborative inquiry is central to the improvement of teaching and learning for diverse students. This research investigated the impact of a professional learning intervention on the improvement of social studies teachers' practice, and their students' learning. Data were gathered from 26 primary and secondary teachers before,…

Virtual communities of practice (VCoP) have been advocated for some time as a promising means of taking professional development to teachers in widely distributed locations. However, geography, and indeed education literature as a whole, contains very few examples where this has been achieved. This paper reports on two VCoP professional…

Believes that the current geography curriculum in New Zealand needs to be reevaluated in order to maintain geography's relevance in the school curriculum. Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the current curriculum and considers possible content for a new curriculum, such as field inquiry and global patterns and processes. (CMK)

This teacher's guide presents teaching suggestions and presentation materials about sustainable development, important trends that could lead to human and environmental disasters in the future if they continue unchecked, and how each country has a different path to sustainable development. The lesson is divided into six parts and may be completed…

Reviews inequalities in development, a topic in the New Zealand Form Six Geography Syllabus. Explains the different perspectives from which to approach development: academic, ideological, political, or personal. Considers the various meanings of development to less developed countries. (GG)

Describes curricular and pedagogical experimentation in humanities and social studies instruction conducted in New Zealand immediately after World War II. Compares such developments with the Freyberg Integrated Studies Project, a later three-year curriculum development and research program. Concludes that the Freyberg model provides support for…

Presents a unit on volcanoes and experiences with volcanoes that helps students develop geography skills. Focuses on four volcanoes: (1) Rangitoto Island; (2) Lake Pupuke; (3) Mount Smart; and (4) One Tree Hill. Includes an answer sheet and resources to use with the unit. (CMK)

Over the last 10 years there have been major reforms in education in New Zealand. There were two paths of reform administrative and curricular. This paper deals with curricular reform and charts the attempts to produce a social studies curriculum which would meet the demands of a changing society and represent the interests of a diverse range of…

States that the Education Forum and Enterprise New Zealand Trust took exception to the lack of instruction on New Zealand's European heritage, expressing the curriculum lacked an explanation of capitalism. Reports the New Zealand Federation of Social Studies Associations complained about the lack of emphasis on decision making and critical…

Ponders whether the Form 5-7 geography syllabus in New Zealand should be changed by discussing the positive and negative aspects of the current syllabus. Addresses the benefits a new syllabus would offer the subject of geography and students and offers topics for inclusion in a new syllabus. (CMK)

Asserts that the New Zealand Form 5-7 geography syllabus does not need to be changed explaining that change for political purposes and individual whims are neither in the interest of the geography teaching community or students. Believes that what is needed is the development of strategies to make geography relevant and appealing to students. (CMK)

When Creative Problem Solving (CPS) was introduced into social studies programs, the students' participation in the classrooms began to change. They began to assume leadership roles and take on a sense of responsibility; they asked questions and worked cooperatively to decide on social action. In this article, the authors argue that CPS has the…

Proposes content changes for a revised geography syllabus in New Zealand discussing each strand: (1) social organization; (2) culture and heritage; (3) place and environment; (4) time, continuity, and change; (5) resources and economic activities; and (6) making sense of planet earth and beyond. Addresses current trends in geography and syllabus…