Teachers in the trenches have led the charge to bring civics back in Illinois. Teachers played a leading role in the creation of a state civic education task force, were active participants on it, and ultimately worked with their students to advocate for action on its recommendations. Teachers are at the center of efforts in Illinois to implement…

This article describes 10 recommendations for creativity, higher-order thinking, and meaningful learning activities that can be used to guide teachers in constructing an engaging AP course: (1) Be on the committee that decides how students will be selected for AP; (2) Maximize time and connections through blocks of time with an English colleague;…

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)

U.S. history is an ideal subject in which to inculcate skepticism and to teach critical thinking skills. High school students who read and analyze rival interpretations of history come to expect that there is more than one viewpoint to most historical topics. Sample lessons are presented. (RM)

Seventy six teachers and 737 social studies students from rural high schools in six states were surveyed to determine whether rural secondary social studies programs discuss topics and themes that provide an insight into rural America. Findings suggest that rural life-styles are inadequately portrayed in social studies curricula. (AM)

Learning activities regarding the future that can help high school students develop problem-solving skills and foster in them a feeling of stimulation and challenge when confronting change are described. (RM)

Discusses the serious economic disadvantagement that accompanies aging, and outlines educational strategies to enlighten and prepare citizens for this social reality. (JB)

More than half a century has passed since the horrific events of the Holocaust took place, but images of the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany are no less shocking than they were 60 years ago. Any discussion of the Holocaust inevitably leads to questions not only of how and why this event…

Study showed that almost half of all high school social studies teachers cannot perform the basic critical thinking skill of distinguishing between statements of fact and statements of opinion. Teachers cannot teach critical thinking skills, one of the major objectives of social studies education, if they themselves lack the skill. (RM)

Describes the types of materials necessary for building a strong economics education program at the high school level including materials for updating teachers' economic knowledge, publications for curriculum development, and instructional packages. Discusses how to integrate and evaluate economic instruction into social studies curriculum. (GG)

Explains two factors that influence economic education: state mandates and teacher background. Gives an overview of a typical one-semester economics course and teacher ranking of course goals. Cites research showing that students' average economic understanding increases six percent after economics instruction. Concludes that although states are…

Points out the important role of social studies education in dealing with both the history and the future of mankind. Urges the cooperation of teachers in educating students for a better world. Discusses Swedish approaches to the social studies curriculum. Also describes Swedish teacher training and staff development process. (KO)