Persuasively argues for a broader and more complex approach to teaching Asian American history. Recommends going beyond issues of immigration, assimilation, and chronological representation to include questions of class, gender, and cultural interrelationships. Describes an undergraduate course that incorporates this approach. (MJP)

Reviews oral history works that examine various aspects of the Vietnam War. Incorporates diplomatic history and includes recollections of soldiers from a single county in Tennessee, veterans' families, and conscientious objectors. Covers the years of U.S. involvement, 1945-75. (MJP)

Recounts the experience of researching community history in Ivanhoe, Virginia, between 1987 and 1990. The Ivanhoe History Project involved community members in collecting photographs, memorabilia, and oral histories of their town. Subsequent published volumes won the W. D. Weatherford Award and inspired a quilt exhibit and a theatrical production.…

Utilizes case studies of two southern Indiana local history projects to illustrate methods of conducting local history. The studies examined local voting patterns and researched the legends surrounding a local Civil War colonel. Includes suggestions for planning successful student research projects. (MJP)

Discusses the 1996 National History Day program and theme: "Taking a Stand in History: Individuals, Groups, Movements." Presents a list of possible student projects. Includes a bibliography of recommended books. (CFR)

Describes a reading series to personalize classroom study of immigration. Includes two readings about Ellis Island and German immigrants in Colonial America. Appropriate questions accompany each reading with a list of classroom activities and additional resources, including films, for secondary level classroom use. (NL)

Outlines a lesson for high school students covering religious controversies in New York City schools in the 1840s. Issues pertain to Irish-Catholic immigrants' objections to public school religious instruction and attempts to obtain public support for parochial schools. Includes handouts concerning religious freedom, Bishop John Hughes' opinion,…

Presents a high school lesson plan about U.S. government policy regarding Native Americans that is based on the National Standards for United States History. Includes a map, a reprint of a painting, and five primary source documents. Provides student objectives and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)

Presents a year long plan for teaching about Columbus's voyages and their impact on the Americas. Discusses themes of bias in history, how language can be used to create a certain image, and concepts of heroism, respect, and power. Includes instructions for schoolwide, social studies and history projects with interdepartmental coordination. (DK)

Describes a high school oral history project where the students investigated the culture, attitudes, and experiences embedded in the 1950s. The students discovered a harsh reality behind the popular nostalgia, a reality that included racism and sexism. Provides sample questions and quotes from the transcripts. (MJP)

Introduces a special issue topic: "Taking Stands in American History." Maintains that every generation has included citizens who have taken stands fusing the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Previews topics and contents of articles that are included in this issue. (CFR)

Recommends integrating urban history curricular concepts into walking tours. Uses an ecosystem model, combining factors of population, environment, and technology to teach these concepts. Suggests study questions be prepared for tours such as the South End Walking Tour in Boston to teach concepts by experiencing them in the urban environment.…

Contends that the end of the Cold War requires teachers to change their teaching methods and content. Presents six lessons, most with three individual student activities, that trace the Cold War from the pre-World War I era through the end of the Vietnam War. (CFR)

Asserts that freedom of speech issues were among the first major confrontations in U.S. constitutional law. Maintains that lessons from the controversies surrounding the Sedition Act of 1798 have continuing practical relevance. Describes and discusses the significance of freedom of speech to the U.S. political system. (CFR)

Urges teachers to use the cultural landscape as a primary resource. Outlines the steps for students to use in making a visual analysis of the cityscape. Lists strategies for reading the cityscape as a primary document including observation, speculation, analysis, and evaluation. (NL)