High school U.S. history students in New Jersey simulate city planning and construction. Students allocate available natural resources, designate population size, building types and locations, governmental structure, and future growth plans, and construct a scale model of their imaginary city. (AM)

A photograph of the Lincoln Memorial under construction is a useful primary source for studying topics in United States history. Seven suggested teaching strategies are listed. (AM)

Discusses books and laws relevant to public health and the environment. Published in the late 1950s and after, the books discuss environmental issues in the late 19th century, the early 20th century, and the present. Topics include cholera epidemics, health hazards from patent medicines, wilderness, conservation, population, land use, and…

Discusses techniques and provides background information to help teachers use debate in U.S. history courses. By debating controversial issues, students learn to do in-depth research. The necessity for anticipating evidence and arguments generates great incentives for study. (RM)

Presents teacher background, Decision-making exercises for students, description of the teacher's role, and references for a United states history unit on the Boston Massacre. (DB)

Suggests that popular ballads are a way of introducing eighth graders to an historical period and giving them special insight into history through the emotions expressed in the lyrics. Illustrates by describing the use of Joan Baez's song, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," in a Reconstruction era unit. (SJL)

Describes the author's initiation into the world of retired seamen as the men, in a writing workshop, related the stories of their lives as sailors and how their union was built. (FL)

Points out the importance of the Tarawa landing in the Gilbert Islands during World War II, and recommends teaching about the event. Provides detailed analysis of the November 21-24, 1943, amphibious assault by U.S. Marines. Examines the rationale for the location, timing, and type of attack. Identifies key personnel. Includes intelligence map of…

Presents a lesson plan exploring social values and historical periods as it is reflected in the sport of baseball. Suggests that teachers start with an overview of the game's history and rules in the nineteenth century. Includes four sets of quotes relating to baseball and race, capitalism, community, and cultural context. (DK)

Suggests a lesson plan in which history students discuss the effects of the Vietnam War on individuals and society. Explains that the students compare their responses before and after hearing a reading of two different works on the war. Includes suggested readings and questions for students to use in interviewing people in the community. (DK)

Lewis, Clark, and the Corps of Discovery traveled westward from 1803 to 1806; therefore, the bicentennial of the expedition is being celebrated from 2003 until 2006. Students and teachers celebrating the bicentennial and Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase in 1803 can use social studies classes to help them connect with their community and to reach a…

This article describes several websites that can be used to encourage students to vote. These include "The Democracy Project: Inside the Voting Booth" sponsored by PBS. This site addresses three elementary topics: how one vote has made a difference in U.S. history, how the right to vote has gradually been expanded to include minorities (African…

Designed primarily for sixth grade students, this 2-week learning packet on Alaska can be adapted to grades 5 and 7. Material is divided into three sections. Following a discussion of how and when to introduce this unit, the teacher section contains a brief summary of each of the unit's seven lessons. The student section contains readings and…

This revised Stark County (Ohio) curriculum guide provides a basic framework for a sequential grades K-12 social studies program. The guide contains the program's philosophy and goals, information about student evaluation, and position statements on social studies, citizenship education, and conceptual learning. The section on elementary education…

The Washington social studies curriculum for small schools, for grades 4-12, developed in 1980-81, is designed to help teachers improve instruction and help smaller districts lacking curriculum personnel comply with the state's Student Learning Objectives (SLO) Law. Written by curriculum specialists and classroom teachers, seven social studies…