Explains the use of interactional drama, a technique that presents a problem in dramatic form, drawing the student audience into the drama by encouraging meaningful discussion in order to resolve the problem. Describes a three-step process for developing dramas that bring life to historical events and distant locations. (LS)

Shows how Christmas songs can be used as illustrations of historical information, cultural borrowing, and social change. Describes a method which can aid discussion of social change and public perception by dividing songs into tracks: (1) traditional and nontraditional and (2) secular and sacred. (LS)

Presents a page from a booklet developed as part of a curriculum development project. Discusses some ideas for analysis of graphics arts. Examines maps, cartoons, illustrations, and photography. Warns against accepting that which is represented as the whole truth. Describes the imagery and cultural influences to be analyzed in maps and cartoons in…

Describes efforts to move beyond formal education's preoccupation with data accumulation toward the promotion of thinking over memorization. Identifies 10 principles central to history instruction that encourages critical thinking and eight specific skills that history instruction can help develop. Argues that students can both acquire facts and…

Discusses the importance of voice in historical writing. Criticizes objective historiography as impossible and undesirable. Emphasizes the interest and depth of interpretation generated by the use of voice in historical writing. Suggests classroom exercises that enable students to identify and evaluate voice in primary sources and secondary works.…

Examines the change in perspective concerning the universe to a nonlinear interpretation of the universe. Speculates about the the possible impact of the nonlinear interpretation on the field of social studies in the twenty-first century. Provides examples of topics that can be used in the classroom using the nonlinear interpretation. (CMK)

In this article, the author discusses the contradictory goals of several groups and individuals that are waging war against social studies and the historians' attitudes in response to this war. He stresses that he is not claiming that these "strange bedfellows," as he comes to call them, that are attacking social studies are working in…

In this article, the author details how she and another teacher developed a multicultural Wisconsin history curriculum for a fourth-grade classroom. Their focus in this article is a description of the main ideas students learned and the instructional strategies that supported their learning from the three-week unit on Wisconsin government. They…

This article analyzes three incidents in pre-Civil War history; Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre, John Brown and the raid on Harpers Ferry, and Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation. The article examines how these incidents have been distorted into myths and stereotypes and offers more correct historical interpretations. (DE)

Offers practical suggestions about how teachers can use skills that they already have to combine their daily history or social studies lesson with an opportunity for students to develop decision-making skills. (Author/AV)

Presents a method that enables students to assess political cartoons and record their findings in written form. Suggests guidelines for cartoon evaluation as well as questions which help organize interpretations. Includes three political cartoons and descriptions of how they might be used in the classroom. (GEA)

Discusses why social studies is suitable for multilevel textbook programs, and important features of viable multilevel textbook programs are examined. A sample unit of study for a high school U.S. history course using multilevel texts is provided. A list of easy-reading secondary grade social studies materials is also included. (RM)

Describes a curriculum development project developed in the United Kingdom to help students write histories based on local case studies. Topics discussed include reasons for writing local history, gathering historical evidence, primary source materials, procedures, and advantages of a local history project. (Author/DB)

Discusses the differences between subject matter and content within the realm of social studies. Asserts the importance of making connections within the social studies and allowing students more choices in subject matter. Explores how teacher education should change to help future teachers learn more about subject matter in the social studies.…

Considers three approaches to using entertainment films in history and social studies classes. Provides a list of Hollywood films currently available on videotape and a list of books, articles, and journals dealing with the role of film in society. (GG)