Explores the controversial issue of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) discussing the Act and the scope of the extinction problem. Reviews the arguments for and against the ESA, addresses the tactics that have been used in the political struggle over the ESA, and highlights the future of the ESA. Includes teaching activities. (CMK)

Presented is an economic classroom model in which elementary children learn important social studies concepts by observing or helping with classroom routines. Twenty percent of the school day necessarily spent on routines can be saved using this model. (RM)

Maintains that students can be taught antiprejudicial thinking by infusing their school experience with critical thinking about knowledge and life. Lists ten attitudes considered essential to the development of critical thinking and reviews classroom characteristics which support prejudice reduction. (JDH)

Specifies major law-related outcomes at the elementary school level and describes several characteristics of learning environments that promote these outcomes. Outcomes include perceiving dilemmas inherent in social issues and being reflective decision makers, being critically responsive to authority, and being knowledgeable about law and related…

The second in a three-part geographical education series, this article focuses on human-environmental relations in the geographical area including Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The article examines how the historical and cultural roots of the people of Middle America have influenced their interaction with and modification of…

Presents a secondary lesson for high school students based on a controversial 1892 proposal in Congress to reduce the size of Yosemite National Park. Includes a map and petition signed by John Muir, the first president of the Sierra Club, which was formed to oppose the proposal. The lesson includes class discussion and activity suggestions. (CFR)

This activity is designed to help teachers engage students in a critical examination of the challenges embedded in balancing economic, environmental, and immigration policy. Students take on the roles of environmental and elderly advocacy groups, both for and against increased immigration. By taking on the personalities and interests of these…

Discusses how to integrate technology into the classroom in order to take advantage of the benefits technology has to offer students, teachers, and parents. Describes how to create a class website that enables students and parents to view information about class activities, assignments, and Internet resources. Offers some technology-based…

Describes an elementary school student government program in which the entire student body is drawn into the decision-making process. Outlines steps in setting up student advisory councils. Student members of these councils must vote as their classmates instruct them. (KC)

Presents a lesson using photographs and descriptive readings about roadside attractions that have been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. Includes student objectives, teaching procedures, photographs, and primary source readings. (CFR)

Presents two elementary and two secondary teaching strategies related to food and energy as global issues. Includes making a survey on energy use, an exercise about food, society, and technology, an energy and a water survey, and discussion and experiments concerning food and technology. (CK)

Presents a lesson in which the students are divided into four Mountain Study Teams in order to examine a sacred mountain. Explains that the students in each group assume a particular role, such as an historian or scientist. Provides a profile on the four mountains and a definition of the seven student roles. (CMK)

Presents a lesson in which students examine the characteristics of successful and unsuccessful tourism development projects in mountains by utilizing the included list of websites. Expounds that, based on their search of the websites, the students propose solutions for maintaining a balance among environmental conservation, cultural advancement,…

The ubiquity of documentary films in social studies courses, along with their potential to influence what students learn, clearly show that documentary films matter in social studies education. While the high rate of documentary film usage by social studies teachers indicates that they are amenable to bringing new films into their classrooms, they…

Asks how intellectual development is tied to social setting. Considers this question from three perspectives: republican, cognitive developmental, and historical-materialists. Concludes that each recognizes that thinking is a product of social conditions. Discusses the importance for social studies education in terms of content and…