Provides ideas for using community studies to acquaint students with American history and to help them develop an appreciation of the uniqueness of their own community and the importance of the role that a locality can play within the nation. Lists seven student learning activities and presents suggestions for researching local history. (KH)

By investigating their own family history, junior high school students see that their families played a part in some of the events chronicled in their history books and were influenced by them. Specific questions to help students study their personal histories are provided, and teaching procedures are suggested. (RM)

The Great Seal of the United States is an important expression of the values of the Founding Fathers of our nation. This lesson will help students in grades 8-12 investigate the meaning of the symbols incorporated in the Great Seal and, thus, gain insights into the uniqueness of our national aspirations. (RM)

"A Place at the Table" contains a teacher's guide, a 40-minute videotape and a 144-page textbook. The kit is designed to help students explore the historical, ongoing struggle to realize the national ideals of freedom and equality. This teacher's guide comprises 13 lesson plans (one for the video and one for each of the 12 chapters in…

This lesson plan for elementary-age children studies some of the primary source documents and symbols of freedom which were and are important for the nation. The lesson plan uses the following documents: "The Mayflower Compact"; "The Declaration of Independence"; "The Constitution"; and the "Bill of Rights."…

To provide a structure for exploring the different approaches of presidents to economic problems, questions are presented. The contrast between the Carter and Reagan programs is discussed and placed into historical perspective by reviewing the different philosophic responses of Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt to economic issues. Classroom…

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.…

A train trip through Pennsylvania is an education in the history and current activities and industries of the state. One can observe the old railroad depots, landscapes, railroad work crews, strip mines, and Amish communities. (KC)

Presents a learning activity about President Lyndon B. Johnson for use in seventh-grade Texas history classes. Students examine one photograph and two political cartoons depicting President Johnson. They search for clues showing the ways that the president symbolized Texas and summarize their findings in a brief essay. (AM)

Describes how a teacher may use the "Virginia Gazette" in a history course, discusses ways of overcoming the problems of cost and equipment, and offers teaching suggestions. (CK)

Presents rationale for including business history surveys and seminars in the curriculum of the contemporary business student. The approach is a pragmatic response to the need to expand and diversify history departments. Also, major corporations are good sources of corporate history and archival programs. (Author/KC)

During the season of political campaigns scores of bumper stickers, posters, and other items with slogans supporting one candidate or another suddenly appear and quickly multiply around neighborhoods and towns, with stickers plastered on cars, and posters hanging in windows, or posted in front yards. From George Washington to George W. Bush,…

Designed for high school students, this unit provides library activities for six topics in Pacific Northwest history. Although the references are located in the Renton High School (Olympia, Washington) library, the lessons are appropriate for anyone with access to the materials. The six topics are natural environment, Indians, western frontier,…

Ideas for celebrating the U.S. Constitution in the classroom, on a schoolwide basis, or in the community are presented in this guide. Classroom activities are categorized into art, research and writing, and miscellaneous. Designing a class mural and a class seal are examples of suggested art activities. In carrying out research activities,…

This simulation allows students to learn of the shared Hispanic background of the Southwestern states and help students realize that the states developed in a parallel fashion, not in isolation. The packet is divided into eight sections: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Land"; (3) "Native Americans"; (4)…