An 18-week economics course for high school students is described. Students develop and present a group project that explains and justifies an economic policy for the United States, develop their own economic seminar consisting of student-invited speakers from the community, conduct economic research, and simulate a community business. (RM)

This project involves secondary students in selecting and researching an event in U.S. history and writing a poetic ballad, from a first person point of view. Completed works are presented at a school assembly. (RM)

This guide was designed to help secondary teachers use a series of radio programs based on the book, "First-Person America," an oral history collection derived in turn from a massive body of first-person accounts originally collected during the 1930's by the Federal Writer's Project. The series dramatizes the texture of everyday life in…

Research and learning opportunities for elementary and secondary students at the seven presidential libraries located around the country are discussed. A questionnaire was sent to each institution, and several of the libraries were visited. Also presented is an overview of the presidential library system. (RM)

A file management computer program that allows secondary social studies students to store information on cards on a floppy disk and to retrieve all or parts of the data as needed is described. The program will help students develop information-processing skills in locating, organizing, interpreting, and presenting social data. (RM)

Describes the Amnesty International USA's Urgent Action letter writing program for schoolchildren. Discusses monthly cases, preparation material for parents and teachers, opportunities for classroom discussion, and a sample letter. Suggests that the program can be an action component in social studies, civics, religion, ethics, and English…

Discusses a school district's plan to introduce into the curriculum civic writing activities directly linked to local history and community issues. Suggests that writing can stimulate students' civic responsibility through the academic skills of research and critical thinking. Addresses planning, implementation, assessment, and recommendations.…

One aspect of children's daily lives--the school itself--is often ignored as a source of readily available data for student activities. School-based research activities that require students to collect, organize, and interpret data are described. For example, students conduct research on how students travel to and from school?

Describes an activity in which students examine the value content of news presentations. Explains that after classroom brainstorming, students watch news broadcasts and answer values-related questions. Suggests references for teachers on the sources of U.S. values. (SG)

Describes a social studies unit for use in U.S. history courses or a class in contemporary social problems. Explores child labor in U.S. history and today. Includes questions, research, and discussion for small groups of students. Suggests that the unit helps students' view themselves as part of the learning process. (DK)

Advocates conducting oral history projects as part of elementary school social studies programs. Outlines key steps for incorporating oral history projects including determine a focus; identify local residents to interview; practice interviewing techniques; exchange information; and create booklets. Lists research resources. Stresses the…

Sketches the history of U.S. child labor legislation through the 1920s and 1930s. Presents two historical documents for classroom use: a typescript of Georgia's child labor law from the early 1920s and a visit report by the Children's Bureau to a Georgia school superintendent. Suggests assignments, questions, analysis, and research. (DK)

Provides background information and related learning activities for three areas of inquiry involving youth and violence: (1) "Evolution of the Juvenile Justice System"; (2) "The Literature of Crime and Poverty"; (3) "Youth Crime and Public Policy." Includes a list of six recommended Web sites. (MJP)

Notes that teachers can make writing assignments more acceptable by using innovative techniques. Suggests that using letter writing for research projects is a good motivational technique. Asks students to assume roles of persons of a specific historical period and write from the first-person perspective. Includes sample letter. (NL)

Suggests teaching about the Chinese government's 1989 suppression of student protesters at Tiananmen Square. Argues that the lesson can aid students understanding of the role of student protest in shaping China's history and interactions with the rest of the world. Offers strategies and questions for student research including reasons for the…