In this article, the author tells the story of the 22-month program involving the political exodus of thousands of Cuban children to the United States in the early 1960s. Fearing communist indoctrination and the rumor of patria potestad--the government assuming legal guardianship of their children--Cuban parents sent their unaccompanied children…

September 11, 2001, is a day most American high school students remember. They may not fully grasp the events that took place, the reasons behind the terrorist attacks on the United States, or their implications, but they remember. They were children when this national trauma occurred--and they saw those unforgettable television images of the…

The second in a three-part geographical education series, this article focuses on human-environmental relations in the geographical area including Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The article examines how the historical and cultural roots of the people of Middle America have influenced their interaction with and modification of…

In this article, the author points out that in this increasingly visual world, outstanding films can engage classes and lift the curtain on the cultures and modern history of Latin America. He recommends some of the most gripping and perceptive films on this topic, and offers advice on how teachers can provide the background to these dramas and…

In teaching about Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing a human dimension to the study of the region is essential. Texts on the region can be dull and lifeless or even biased and skewed. Introducing students to the region by exploring prose, poetry, and picture books helps to illustrate the rich diversity found throughout Latin America and the…

Notes the problematical elements of diversity within Latin America, establishes priorities for the social studies curriculum, and reviews what should be taught about its geography, resources, people, religion, customs, economics, politics, history, and international relationships. Lists Latin American Studies programs and published instructional…

The purpose of this article is to propose a base from which the study of Latin American culture might be initiated utilizing ideas from two new approaches. A plan is presented for organizing inquiry into Latin American culture around main ideas. (Author/KM)

Demonstrates how illustrations can stimulate learning and critical thinking, specifically in studying Latin American cultures. Seven illustrations with questions for student analysis are included. (KC)

It can be a challenge to introduce students to a world region with the cultural diversity and rich history of Latin America. In this article, the author suggests four thematic units that enable teachers to identify both general trends and important differences in the region: (1) race/ethnicity; (2) progress and civilization; (3) conflict and…

This is the third of a three-part series of articles examining the five geographical themes suggested in "Guidelines for Geographic Education: Elementary and Secondary Schools." Using Middle America (Mexico, Central American and the Caribbean) as a case study, this article addresses the themes of region and movement to show how the…

Presents a strategy for using oral history in the classroom and includes steps involved in an oral history project. Provides examples of an oral history project about discrimination focusing on the experiences of Latin American women. Includes teaching suggestions. (CMK)

Describes a class simulation designed to enhance student awareness of social classes in Latin America. Notes that students learn how these groups function within their social and economic milieu. Includes detailed instruction for simulation procedure and roles that students play. Students become aware of inequities, the role of supply and demand,…

Highlights the value of field trips and oral history as a way of obtaining information and understanding about other cultures. Describes an oral history class project conducted by high school students at a bilingual multinational school in Mexico. Includes guidelines for such activities and excerpts from students' notes. (MJP)

Provides an overview of the decade-long civil war in El Salvador and discusses its historical and cultural roots. Presents 14 letters, 2 poems, and 3 drawings by fourth-grade students in El Salvador that relate to the impact of war on their lives. Provides suggestions for using these letters in social studies classes. (CFR)