Briefly reviews theories of brain hemisphere functions and draws implications for social studies instruction. Maintains that the metaphor aids the development of understanding because it connects right and left brain functions. Provides a learning activity based on the metaphor of the U.S. government functioning as a machine. (BSR)

Describes a series of writing assignments which may be used to develop writing skills among secondary level history students. The assignments are sequenced to begin with lower level intellectual skills and build student confidence. (BSR)

A high school senior contends the key to getting students interested in the subject of history is to allow them the freedom to focus their interest on an issue important to them. Such independent study allows history students to learn basic skills in compiling and sorting information, taking notes, writing papers, using a library, and critical…

In response to a high school teacher's request for the "basic twenty concepts which college professors see as really basic preparation for college," this article advocates that students bring a shared body of facts about the past in addition to the ability to think about it; sensing the dual nature and interconnectedness of historical events. (JDH)

Explores the different historical views of the Progressive Era of United States history. Maintains that historians will probably always disagree about the nature and meaning of Progressivism, but that in the last analysis, the best way to learn about the era is to read and analyze the Progressives' own views. (JDH)

Presents a rationale, historical background, sample topics, instructional procedures, and evaluation criteria for facilitating a student-produced muckraking magazine project. (JDH)

Two teachers describe their junior high school's involvement in National History Day. Participation in History Day provides students with the thrill of competition and the satisfaction that comes from really getting into a topic of their choice. (RM)

Provides a three-day lesson plan for instruction about the Holocaust. Includes student handouts about the roots of antisemitism, the "Final Solution," and other topics. Examines the historical roots of anti-Jewish feeling, the rise of Germany's Nazi Party, Jewish resistance, and the ultimate liberation of Jews who survived the…

Presents an annotated bibliography of nine ERIC documents on the history of U.S. foreign policy. Includes teacher resource materials and instructional guides. (CFR)

Discusses the role of sports in U.S. history. Describes primary sources and scholarly articles available for use in integrating sports history into history courses. Addresses questions about sport and society in the United States from the Puritans through the present day. Suggests that sports have been used to limit upward mobility and maintain…

Presents a lesson plan in which George Bellows's painting "Both Members of this Club" is analyzed as a historical document illustrating the Progressive movement. Suggests that the lesson can introduce students to a different form of historical communication. Includes background information and procedures for approaching the lesson.…

Presents a lesson plan using original documents of the wartime correspondence between President Franklin Roosevelt and baseball commissioner Kenesaw Landis. Explores the status of baseball during World War II to determine the importance of sports in U.S. culture. Includes background information and copies of the correspondence. (DK)

Observes that the first Congress, 1789 to 1791, was the most important in American history. Discusses the role of individual congressional members, including Oliver Ellsworth, Richard Henry Lee, William Maclay, Fisher Ames, Daniel Carroll, Thomas Fitzsimmons, James Jackson, and James Madison. Suggests that these congressman can stimulate student…

Recognizes the decline of history instruction and reports the results of the recent pilot test of the history knowledge of 17-year-old high school students by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Lists the various projects of the National Endowment for the Humanities designed to strengthen United States History instruction. (JDH)

Offers the opinions of four high school students about the importance of United States history. The students express opinions regarding teaching practices, course content, course requirements, and the sequencing of history courses within the high school curriculum. (JDH)