Contends that artifacts found during archaeological research can open up alternative ways to explore, reexamine, and even rewrite history. Maintains that material culture explores three aspects of Revolutionary American life: (1) the nature of day-to-day life; (2) the fluctuating circumstances of enslaved African-Americans; and (3) how…

Discusses the importance of architecture in Thomas Jefferson's life. Presents a lesson plan based on Jefferson's Monticello and designed to encourage students to identify and understand elements of classical architecture in their local area. Includes a photograph of Monticello and six architectural illustrations. (CFR)

Presents a high school history lesson based on the National Standards for United States History. Considers the effect of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence on free and enslaved African Americans. (CFR)

Presents background information on Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Wisconsin could not compel Amish students to attend high school. Outlines a lesson plan for simulating the court's decision. Includes discussion questions that distinguish between the First Amendment establishment and free exercise clauses and…

Maintains that General William T. Sherman deliberately changed the text of his valedictory message to troops at the end of the Civil War to create a public memory in line with national goals. Provides an annotated bibliography and a copy of the original draft of the speech in Sherman's handwriting. (CFR)

Asserts that the PBS series "The Civil War" presents historical information that can encourage critical thinking by students. Offers a lesson plan based on one program in the series, "The Cause." Provides questions for student discussion and outlines writing assignments based on the series. (CFR)

Presents a teaching unit on the global impact of the abolition of slavery in the Western Hemisphere. Asserts that abolition of slavery brought economic disruption to many African states and parts of the Western Hemisphere. Provides a chronologically based map, five student handouts, and questions for each handout. (CFR)

Contends that the "historical detective work" of oral history helps students break free of their textbooks and become active collectors of information. Provides five recommendations, six teacher guidelines, and seven student guidelines for implementing oral history in the classroom. (CFR)

Asserts that the Cold War era has little historical meaning for today's students. Maintains that the use of feature-length films on videocassettes can be used effectively with appropriate reading and writing exercises. Provides a filmography focusing on social issues and a lesson plan. (CFR)

Presents a roundtable discussion among several high school and university educators who have conducted oral history projects. The teachers discuss their specific projects and extrapolate some general guidelines for conducting oral history research. Examines the influence that Foxfire has had on these efforts. (MJP)

Contends that, in several important ways, 20th-century American Indian history anticipated the new western history. Discusses academic trends after World War II that stimulated new interest in American Indian history and culture. Includes 15 endnotes and a 44-item bibliography. (CFR)

Maintains that the U.S. government policy of Indian removal in the 1830s provides a focus for exploring issues of cross-cultural relations during the first half-century of U.S. history. Presents a high school lesson plan, including student objectives, teaching materials, instructional strategies, and a bibliography. (CFR)

Teaching about refugees and having refugees as students requires examining ethical questions concerning responsibilities of U.S. citizens and providing refuge for oppressed peoples. Suggests that, through teaching historical understanding of these issues, one builds community in multi-ethnic classrooms and helps to combat hostility toward newly…

Proposes having students write an "immigrant novel" as an alternative to a research paper, allowing them to develop awareness and understanding of the immigrant experience in U.S. history. Students use historical research methods, gain perspective on the immigration experience, and understand concepts. Outlines methods for guiding…

Investigates the situations surrounding, and events involved in, the United States's massive western land acquisition from Mexico in 1845 and 1848. Presents a challenging, thorough, and insightful lesson plan that includes numerous background materials, learning activities, maps, and handouts. (MJP)