Many textbooks define economics as the social science that studies how people make choices when faced with scarcity; or how a society decides what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce. Regardless of the definition, students' economic understanding is fundamental to their financial well-being and their ability to build successful…

A basic skills model is presented which stresses the skills of writing, reading, study, and research for elementary school pupils. The model focuses on lesson background, the purpose of the reading, independent reading, follow-up discussion, developing related skills, and extending and applying ideas. A lesson about the 1910 British expedition to…

This teaching example shows how to use students' own experiences to help them learn social studies terminology. The example must be told as a story spoken to the class. The teacher's responsibility is to guide and facilitate the students' presentations. (JDH)

Describes four lessons for teaching chronological skill concepts in secondary world history courses. Objectives and teaching methods are provided for each lesson. (RM)

The Essentials of the Social Studies Statement summarizes various National Council of the Social Studies statements and positions concerning the goal of citizenship participation, knowledge, democratic beliefs, thinking skills, participation skills, and civic action. (Author/KC)

This exercise shows how to turn the expository treatment of a topic or event into a mystery or puzzling situation that students are asked to solve. Once a puzzle is presented, students may pose only questions that can be answered yes or no. Three sample lessons are included to illustrate the process. (JDH)

Presents an alternative scope and sequence for the social studies. Offers an integrated social science and humanities approach, placing history and geography at the center of the curriculum. Scrapping the prevailing pattern of repeated history surveys, the proposed alternative emphasizes a different historical period at each grade level to give…

Presents a two-day lesson integrating the basic skills of reading, writing, and critical thinking with social studies content at the secondary level. The lesson on indentured servitude in colonial America requires students to list information they have gathered, write a main idea, and then write a well-structured paragraph based on prewriting…

Some educators applaud this effort to provide guidance to school systems; others, however, are not pleased with the guidelines. Reasons for negative reactions include: lack of rationale, narrow scope, conservative tone, lack of attention to research concerning developmental learning stages, and the reactionary nature of the report. (RM)

Contends that decisions about scope and sequence are most appropriately made by local curriculum committees and teachers. Provides guidance for this work by identifying four goals for the K-12 social studies curriculum, along with seven major themes, including social history, cultural heritage, and development of a global perspective. Key…

Maintains that the extraordinary privileges and responsibilities attached to contemporary and future United States citizenship demands a more global approach to social studies. Proposes four essential elements and three major themes to set the boundary for the scope of the social studies. Provides an illustrative example of appropriate grade level…

Offers a conception of the K-12 social studies curriculum based upon a probing treatment of problems, ideas, and values of democracy. Maintains that democracy must be practiced in the schools if effective democratic citizenship is expected. Offers four guidelines for curriculum development, and identifies seven curriculum strands. (JDH)

Proposes a K-12 social studies curriculum designed to support a democratic civic culture with active participation of individuals in the improvement of society. Seeks to have students develop firm and thoughtful attachment to the core values of justice and equality. Provides a flexible sequence of conceptual themes to guide the curriculum at each…

Contends that the knowledge, skills, and attitudes advocated by social studies educators are recognized and supported now by business interests. Describes how cooperative learning techniques are adapted and used to restructure business. Concludes that business students prepared for lifelong learning, basic skill competence, communication, group…

A K-12 social studies scope and sequence that is realistically possible to implement is presented. Contents include: mandate for citizenship education; definition and goals of social studies; an illustrative scope and sequence, providing specific grade level examples; examples of applications of democratic beliefs and values; and essential social…