The possibility that technology can be used to provide qualified citizens direct access to and participation in political decision-making processes will influence the social studies curriculum like no other innovation or event in our history. Teachers must introduce basic concepts of responsibility and participation in terms of direct democracy.…

Discusses the conditions present during and after World War I which led to the creation of social studies as a discrete component in the U.S. school curriculum. Describes these conditions as a public awareness of impending crisis, perception of citizenship as a major social concern, alternatives to traditional citizenship education, and…

Social studies teachers are constantly seeking ways to connect the past with the present, the near with the far, the familiar with the esoteric. One of the most powerful ways to create such connections is through the integration of current events into social studies lessons (Silverman 2003; Turner 1995). Current events promote students' oral and…

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the nation's largest living history museum, in partnership with the Social Science Education Consortium, scholars, educators, and teachers, has developed engaging learning materials for social studies classrooms. One such program is the Colonial Williamsburg History and Civics Project, which is based on…

Asserts that the status of civics, a formal course of instruction in middle/junior high schools, is alarming. Maintains that civic or citizenship education is the central purpose of social studies. Provides a context and suggested content for a civics course. (CFR)

The "traditions" of the social studies--the "good citizenship" tradition and the disciplinary or social science tradition--are described. This description is followed by a discussion of the relationship between citizenship education and the social studies. The final section contains a description of the eight approaches to citizenship education.…

The past decade has witnessed the development of character education efforts in many schools across America. Professional journals and the popular press abound with character education articles that explain the need, articulate the principles of practice, or recount details of schools' programs. The prominence of character education and its…

The author presents a social studies lesson that uses a commemorative coin to encourage understanding of the Monroe Doctrine. The international factors surrounding the formation of the Monroe Doctrine are discussed along with the implications and limitations of the document. The lesson provides quotations from the Monroe Doctrine, discusses how…

In this article, the author describes how the study of past and present prisoner of war (POW) situations can provide an excellent academic opportunity for students to evaluate virtues and values in the short and long run. Using case studies of past and present POW situations, students can categorize and analyze the historical nature of the…

National standards in social studies, history, civics/government, and geography stress the importance of preparing young people to become active citizens, yet pay little attention to civic leadership. Several only imply that one of a citizen's responsibilities is to assume leadership roles at the community, state, and national level. Only one…

Asserts that social studies teacher educators can develop future teachers' commitment to student service learning. Describes and reports on a study of a community service-learning program for elementary preservice social studies teachers. (CFR)

The author discusses how high school civics teachers can use the Gallup Poll Web site to teach students about the influence of public opinion in politics. The author describes his firsthand experiences using the Web site with high school students. He emphasizes the need for teachers to structure higher-level thinking questions instead of having…

Reports on a study of the political attitudes and views toward elections among 140 Nigerian secondary students. Argues that, if schools are to play a significant role in Nigeria, it is essential for social studies educators to try to improve the current orientation of students toward elections. (CFR)

Examines democracy as a social and political system. Defines democracy as an evolving process that moves toward consensus whereby citizens exercise their sovereignty in government based on values and laws. Identifies two cornerstones of democracy: sovereignty of the people and individual rights. Explores the guardianship role of education in…

Experiential education, developed more than a century ago, is a guide for instructors interested in helping students capture the meaning of their learning experiences. John Dewey (1963) in Experience and Education emphasized that events are present and operative but that what concerns most people is their meaning. Dewey judged the quality of an…