James Loewen has revised "Teaching What Really Happened", the bestselling, go-to resource for social studies and history teachers wishing to break away from standard textbook retellings of the past. In addition to updating the scholarship and anecdotes throughout, the second edition features a timely new chapter entitled…

Learn how to design history lessons that foster students' knowledge, skills, and dispositions for civic engagement. Each section of this practical resource introduces a key element of civic engagement, such as defending the rights of others, advocating for change, taking action when problems are observed, compromising to promote reform, and…

Secondary students interpret a primary source document from the National Archives--the Tonkin Gulf Resolution--and are involved in activities which will help them understand the Tonkin Gulf incident in the context of the Vietnam War. Background information is provided. (RM)

In 1860, 226,000 (47 percent) of the US' 478,000 free blacks lived in free states, and thus totaled over five percent of the black population in America. Though oppressed by popular prejudice and a range of legal and institutional constraints--in 1847, blacks at a convention labeled themselves "slaves of the community"--African Americans outside…

Offers a review of various authors' interpretations of historical mindedness and perspective. Lists ten educational outcomes achieved through the development of historical mindedness and concludes that its development provides a frame of reference in which a more balanced and comprehensive view of life is cultivated. (JDH)

Within the context of American studies, this article explores how material artifacts, in this case early American structures and dwellings representative of different sections of the United States, can illuminate the history of a community. (JDH)

Eleventh grade U.S. history, as described in the 1981 California History/Social Science Framework, should not be taught using a chronological approach. Instead, the course should be based on selected "regional" focal points and students given the opportunity to study different historical accounts and interpretations of the same events.…

Examines various ways that a documentary film about a southern textile strike can be used in a social studies classroom. Describes a series of student comments about the film followed by responses from the teacher/filmmaker. Briefly annotates five Internet sites related to oral history. (MJP)

This special theme issue of the OAH Magazine of History contains articles that present a variety of perspectives on the Columbian Quincentenary--the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyages of discovery. The articles include: "Exploring the Columbian Quincentenary through Historiography" (John Hebert); "Science, Religion,…

Discusses the enrichment of understanding about American Indians due to the development of new materials and approaches to the history of Indians in American society. Cites specific examples of books that characterize different stages in the development of literature on North American Indians. (AEM)

U.S. history is an ideal subject in which to inculcate skepticism and to teach critical thinking skills. High school students who read and analyze rival interpretations of history come to expect that there is more than one viewpoint to most historical topics. Sample lessons are presented. (RM)

Discusses the problems which arise out of attempts to integrate women's studies into history and other areas of the social sciences. Presents a feminist model as an alternative to the integrative approach and identifies the areas of history and social science best suited to its use. (RKM)

Explores common problems with the traditional model for graduate research seminars and suggests an alternative conception which capitalizes on the use of local history, a carefully sequenced series of research experiences, and specific instruction in research skills. (JDH)

An integrative model was used to introduce undergraduates to public history at the University of Northern Iowa. The model extracts a series of skills, methods, and techniques from the eight areas of public history that most public historians use. Reading assignments for each series are included. (AM)

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…