Focuses on teaching a U.S. history course to secondary school students about the women's club movement which began in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Explores five key topic areas involving theoretical frameworks, community activities of the women, and skill development due to club involvement. (CMK)

Presents instructional activities for classroom teachers to use in educating students about democracy and offers a definition of democracy. Includes information on how to teach about democracy, democratic deliberation, the issues of fairness and justice, social responsibility, and the history of democracy. (CMK)

Responds to a critique by Ronald Evans of Ravitch's position on the teaching of history. States that the goals of history are to put students in command of knowledge which will allow them to reach their own conclusions. Urges that teachers take the risk of allowing students to think for themselves. (KO)

Describes a series of 10 video programs and accompanying print materials that are designed to enhance citizenship education. Expresses the basic tenet that geographic learning is essential to the sound teaching and learning of history. Includes outcome goals, program content, structure, and a description of each of the 10 programs, emphasizing…

Reports on the effects of computer-assisted instruction on student achievement in U.S. history classes. Studies two groups of students: those who used the computer to learn the material and those who did not. Reports no difference in the two groups. Outlines recommendations for computer use in the classroom. (RW)

Presents a student research project in which students discover the history behind everyday kitchen inventions and popular food items. Pupils achieve the following objectives: (1) distinguish fact from opinion; (2) evaluate relevant information; (3) compare and contrast events; (4) locate and verify conflicting information; and (5) organize,…

A report from Thomas B. Fordham Foundation reveals the complaints of some social studies educators regarding the teaching of American history in US classrooms. Students, they say, should study an American history that emphasizes "true heroes of the American story." Further, these educators believe that students should be freed from the alleged…

Proven to be powerful learning tools, literature and song can spark students' interests and are resources with great potential for fostering learning. The use of literature and song in history classes can be a stand-alone instructional strategy or a supplement to more traditional means of teaching. Once students' interest and imagination have been…

History teachers on the secondary level are often so boxed in by heavy schedules and standard curricula that they have little time or incentive to use outside resources. In the light of these concerns, the Education Department at the Hershey Museum initiated The Progressive Industry and Its Legacy project. This article describes the project, which…

A project is described in which American history students analyze comic books to determine their appeal and structure, and then create their own comic books entitled "Causes of the American Revolution". Concludes that, despite some problems, the project was fun and rewarding. (DB)

Presents a model for introducing inquiry and problem-solving into middle grade history classes. It is based on an educational approach suggested by John Dewey. The author uses the model to explore two seemingly contradictory statements by Abraham Lincoln about slavery. (AV)

A study evaluated the portrayal of white and non-white ethnic groups in selected textbooks. Results show that writers usually describe ethnic groups in neutral terms. However, some writers, in describing ethnic group interaction with white Americans, associate the ethnic groups with more negative than positive terms. (Author/AV)

Describes the experiences of a sixth grade history class in learning about archaeology by planning and executing a small local dig. Offers advice on class preparation, excavation procedures, follow-up work, and the display of artifacts. Includes eight photographs of classroom and field work activities. (AEM)

Recognizes that teaching about the United States in England must emphasize the complexity and diversity of the American experience in order to build a meaningful sense of empathy for Americans among European pupils. Identifies impediments to accomplishing these goals. (JDH)

Centennial celebrations provide an ideal opportunity to help young children develop an understanding of the concepts of time and chronology, maps, societal change, and an appreciation of family and personal heritage. Centennial activities for use with first and second graders are provided. (RM)