In this article, the author discusses how to teach the 2006 elections in middle or high school social studies and provides ways and some websites for social studies teachers at all grade levels to help teach about the 2006 midterm elections. One way to teach about the midterm elections would be to develop individual or group assignments that focus…

Focuses on the "New York State Great Irish Famine Curriculum Guide," discussing the purpose of the curriculum. Describes the big questions approach that uses current events to learn about the famine and world history. Includes a list of big questions. (CMK)

Discusses the classroom practice of Geri Collins who is a veteran eighth grade social studies teacher. Explains how, through her teaching, she attempts to break down the wall her students have around them. Highlights the four characteristics that make her teaching an example of wise practice. (CMK)

Explores how the tools of geography can help meet some of the challenges inherent in sustainable development by looking at changes in land-use patterns among the Bribri Indians of Costa Rica. Includes a geography lesson on comparing regions and environmental issues. (CMK)

Explores the content of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and describes similarities between the ITBS and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards. Addresses three NCSS standards and how each may be represented on a standardized test. Provides eight confidence-boosting principles. (CMK)

This article describes "We the People: Project Citizen Program," a curricular program for middle school students. "We the People" promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. Additionally, it helps young people learn how to monitor and influence public policy. Entire classes of students or…

The ubiquity of documentary films in social studies courses, along with their potential to influence what students learn, clearly show that documentary films matter in social studies education. While the high rate of documentary film usage by social studies teachers indicates that they are amenable to bringing new films into their classrooms, they…

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…

States that adult value patterns are largely set during students middle school years. Argues that social studies teachers must adapt their instruction to the unique characteristics and needs of these students. Concludes that development of citizenship skills and socially responsible attitudes deserve a high priority in the middle school social…

Discusses California's Middle Grade Task Force and its report, "Caught in the Middle: Educational Reform for Young Adolescents in California Public Schools." Describes the 1987 revision of the California history-social science framework which emphasizes character development through studying the moral and ethical struggles of literary…

Describes the teaching styles and approaches of two different social studies teachers working in urban schools in Alabama. Aims at providing examples of wise teaching practice in social studies by examining what these teachers see as essential to becoming effective teachers in a challenging context. (CMK)

Explains that after a vast majority of students expressed disinterest in their social studies classes, a group of teachers attempted to generate student interest by teaching an inclusive history. Focuses on the planning and preparation, teaching methods, and classroom environment. Lists three teaching components that correlate with student…

Involving students in the planning, use, and assessment of their own questions can help them realize that they can control the direction of their own learning. A sample lesson involving a class of middle school students in a study of Canadian culture and national unity is presented. (RM)

Discusses an exchange of students between two seventh grade social studies classes: one in New York City, the other in Elida, Ohio. Examines important benefits for students that such domestic exchanges offer. Outlines the elements of a successful exchange. Suggests that a nationwide clearinghouse is needed to implement a domestic exchange program.…

Addresses the Niles Firebrick Project, an outreach program from Youngstown State University that has traveled to nine schools in six Ohio school districts, with a majority of the classrooms visited in middle schools. Explains that the project centers on the use of primary documents about the Niles Fire Brick Company. (CMK)