Points out that melodrama can be used as a method for historical research, giving students practice in applying historical methods. Describes an innovative teaching technique in which students learn about slavery by staging a melodrama in the classroom. Gives detailed instructions on designing a melodrama. (GG)

Recommends that media presentations can be used effectively in the history classroom as images of reality. Suggests films and television programs and documentaries that can be utilized to show how movies play a role in shaping opinion and changing perceptions. (DK)

Suggests promoting student critical thinking and motivation through the dramatization of U.S. history. Explains that the exercises make use of old newspaper articles, diaries, and letters, as well as physical artifact facsimiles. Discusses an activity in which students acted out the formation of the Iroquois nation, then wrote first person…

Contends that teachers often demand creative and concise writing but do not provide students with concrete suggestions. Presents an approach to writing instruction using geometric figures as models for essay writing. Includes 10 examples of models with essay questions derived from each model's conceptual base. (CFR)

Describes teaching children about historical documents as a way of illustrating the reasons behind U.S. government. Explains that the course examines the U.S. Constitution, Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, and Bill of Rights. Argues that children have firm opinions about fairness and justice. Describes a project comparing U.S. government with that…

Presents resources for teaching about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outlines criteria for selecting biographies for children and young adults. Identifies problems in certain biographies of King, and recommends high quality biographies of King. Discusses exercises for integrating themes from King's life into the classroom. (RW)

Asserts that high school student research assignments in history and social studies often yield disappointing results with limited summaries of facts and a loose array of opinions. Argues that graphic organizers can help students with historical inquiry and result in improved thinking skills, more sophisticated conclusions, and better decision…

Describes a college level term paper project in which students conduct oral history research with people who have experienced a sociologically relevant aspect of ethnic history. Emphasizes that oral history complements traditional historical research but is not a substitute for it. Suggests resources to help students with the project and provides…

Discusses how postage stamps can be used to teach social studies, including ideas for units on national culture, the history of technology, and peace education. Explains how teachers can obtain stamps and discusses stamp terminology. Considers classroom strategies and includes an appendix of Internet resources about postage stamps. (CMK)

Provides background information on India's educational system. Focuses on history teaching in India after independence from British rule. Addresses the role of textbooks in the curriculum and types of instructional strategies. Considers some critical issues in the teaching of history in Indian schools. (CMK)

For whatever reasons, whether state and local curriculum requirements, mandated assessments, or other political forces, textbook authors have elected to include Christianity and the Religious Right in their presentations of U.S. history. Therefore, a major concern is the impressions authors create that shape the way students understand and view…

Addresses the issue of assisting and motivating weak readers in history courses to participate more in research projects by utilizing varied types of materials in small group settings that incorporate different ability levels. Discusses specific types of materials (books, films, and oral history) and sources to locate these materials. (CMK)

Describes a project in which a group of students wrote and published a history of their high school. Lists objectives of the project, such as developing research, analytic, interpersonal, and communication skills and self-esteem. Includes preparing a blueprint of ideas, researching, writing, marketing, and distributing the school's history. (DK)

Presents an article from volume 1 of "The History Teacher's Magazine," published in 1909 and the predecessor to "The Social Studies." Discusses methods of historical research and compares them to research in the natural sciences. Provides suggestions for students concerning categorizing and analyzing historical documents. (CFR)

Describes a series of class activities involving student surveys and interviews with parents and other adults. Discusses possible interview topics ranging from important inventions to simulated interviews with historical figures. Reports that student interest improved and parents became more involved with school activities. (CFR)