The authors of this article represent an interdisciplinary team that includes a literacy teacher educator, a high school economics teacher, a community-based math educator, and a math teacher educator. Responding to the needs and building from the strengths of the local community, we co-designed with youth a community-based FLE workshop that…

This article examines social studies in the primary grades and shows how community resources can facilitate social learning. A three-stage model is examined which addresses the issues of citizenship and community involvement in the primary grades. It provides for teacher/school, parent/community, and learner involvement in all stages of…

Based on the 1989 presidential address to the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), the article discusses the role that social studies education plays in developing citizenship skills. States that society cannot leave to chance the promotion of citizenship in successive generations. Calls for the NCSS members to unite their efforts to…

Background information and ideas to help K-12 social studies teachers teach about local government are provided in this guide. Activities that involve the study of local governments may be a means by which positive attitudes and skills for citizenship education can be developed. Such activities can give students first-hand experience with the…

Outlines the six elements from educational research that enhance the value of community service programs. Summarizes three school-based programs: Community Involvement Program in Minnetonka, Minnesota; Early Adolescent Helper Program in New York, New York; and Youth Community Service in Los Angeles, California. (SLM)

Data culled from five 1980s studies show that youth today are committed to rewarding careers, good jobs, traditional values, marriage, and family. They are fixated on personal bread-and-butter issues and turn away from community and group problems. (RM)

Reports a New York State Education Department mandated government participation course. Course requirements were to examine public policy issues and to incorporate a participatory element. Describes four programs that were implemented by school districts: Effective Participation in Government Program; The Community Service Corps; National Issues…

Provides ideas for enhancing classroom learning about the 1990 Census through involving students in community activities. Suggests outreach activities intended to help teachers generate an awareness of the 1990 Census and its importance to the community. Includes information about special census events and about educational activities of the…

Offers information useful to educators interested in implementing community-service programs. Provides estimates of students' participation in community service in U. S. high schools; describes the nature of the programs and students' experiences; and reports data which illustrate that the potential for influencing civic responsibility may not yet…

Contains six responses to two questions concerning high school book censorship and the application of dominant community values to the selection of instructional materials in public education. (AM)

Describes how the Community-in-the-Classroom (CIC) program works and the positive effects CIC has on students' learning and character development. Discusses the use of experiential learning, outlines the preparation for having community speakers in the classroom, and provides two examples of using guest speakers to teach about Vietnam and the U.S.…

Discusses the first schoolwide symposium at Hendersonville High School (North Carolina) in which, for one week, students and faculty were immersed in the culture and history of the Vietnam War era. Explains that because this first symposium was so successful in gaining student enthusiasm, the school organized three more symposiums. (CMK)

Asserts that, although active citizenship is heralded as the goal of social studies, few textbook studies have attempted to define or examine civic participation. Reports on a study of the treatment of citizenship in four widely used third-grade textbooks. Finds that, although the texts are largely supportive of mainstream political values, they…

Points out the important role of social studies education in dealing with both the history and the future of mankind. Urges the cooperation of teachers in educating students for a better world. Discusses Swedish approaches to the social studies curriculum. Also describes Swedish teacher training and staff development process. (KO)