A global studies course focusing on the developing world uses computers to show middle school students how data can be used to understand phenomena. Students secure data for one or two countries and, using the programing language APL, create tables, make maps, visuals, and graphs, and manipulate computer-generated models. (RM)

A poster from the National Archives that intermediate grade and secondary social studies teachers can use to teach students about race relations in the military during World War I is presented. Background information concerning the ill treatment given blacks and teaching activities are also included. (RM)

Presents a lesson plan centering on the importance of Fort Hancock, the military facilities that defend the harbor in New Jersey. Instructional materials include maps, photographs, background material and history, and suggested activities. The lesson could be part of a unit on U.S. foreign policy, military history, or technology and society. (MJP)

Offers activities for high school and middle school classrooms. First activity deals with war crimes by projecting fictitious Soviet fighting in Afghanistan into the story of William Calley in Vietnam. Second activity uses the Underground Railroad during the U.S. Civil War in an interdisciplinary approach. Third activity is a self-discovery…

Offers three activities for middle school classrooms. Activity 1 uses a newspaper reporter exercise to demonstrate two viewpoints of the U.S. Civil War. Activity 2 develops geographic awareness of direction and distance on a sphere through study of the great circle route. Activity 3 provides associative learning clues and mnemonic devices for…

Asserts that the story of Amelia Earhart holds an ongoing fascination for students. Presents an instructional unit using a spreadsheet to create a database about Earhart's final flight. Includes student objectives, step-by-step instructional procedures, and eight graphics of student information or teacher examples. (CFR)

Asserts that the United Nations, though often restricted by Cold War events, has had a resurgence as the hope for a true global forum for the world's pressing issues. Maintains that the need to teach about peacekeeping and model conflict resolution skills is crucial in today's world. (CFR)

Describes a classroom activity in which students develop recruitment materials designed to encourage eighteenth-century Europeans to become colonists in North America. Includes instructions for developing assignment sheets and suggests student resources. Contends that this activity always enhances student motivation and enthusiasm. (CFR)

Describes a broad variety of instructional ideas and activities designed to make history come alive for the intermediate grades. These include personal time lines, interviewing grandparents, and show and tell with personal artifacts. Includes a section of activities designed specifically to work with historical fiction. (MJP)

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)

Asserts that, although middle school students have rudimentary map skills, they typically dismiss old maps as worthless. Describes the use of outdated and inaccurate maps as instructional resources in social studies courses. Concludes that the approach was valuable and helped students learn about the concept of change over time. (CFR)

Contends that student motivation is a major issue for all teachers but is of particular concern for middle school social studies teachers. Reports on an interview with 18 middle school teachers and 60 middle school students on the effectiveness of strategies designed to increase motivation. (CFR)

Maintains that using both formal and informal writing assignments is an effective method for learning social studies content. Discusses positive outcomes of writing such as acquiring tools for independent learning, identifying bias, and enhancing thinking skills. Provides suggestions for writing assignments and evaluation. (CFR)

Presents a dialog between an educational psychologist and a middle school social studies teacher concerning the integration of the arts into social studies curriculum. Both agree that the use of the arts can simultaneously enhance the presentation of content while providing multiple paths to learning. (MJP)

Briefly describes activities and questions designed to integrate the study of electricity into any of the specific social studies disciplines. Meeting the performance expectations of the National Standards, the activities are connected to archaeology, anthropology, geography, history, economics, political science, law, religion, philosophy,…