This journal issue explores alternative ways to increase student involvement in the social studies classroom. Subject content remains a major stumbling block because of the knowledge explosion and the realization that half the students in school today will earn a living in an occupation not yet invented. The relationship between content and…

Within a school curriculum featuring English as a second language, classes such as History for English as a Second Language and Math for English as a Second Language can play an important role. In these classes, the teacher can present content-subject matter, keeping in mind the linguistic capabilities of the students. Principles are not watered…

Asserts that history departments in undergraduate programs should train secondary social studies teachers. Asserts that history professors are content experts and previously may have been successful secondary teachers, willing to experiment with teaching methods. Discusses how history departments can train secondary social studies teachers. (CMK)

Advances a line of research that investigates the potential of hypermedia resources and scaffolding for supporting problem-based social studies and developing critical reasoning. The line of inquiry consists of a series of generative design experiments that informs problem-based curriculum development. The experiments examined 11th grade U.S.…

Identifies problems plaguing social studies' future developments, including the content-process approach debate. Recommends a synoptic approach, based on meeting psychological students' needs and connecting ideas to learners. Argues against a uniform national social studies curriculum. Urges compromise among social studies teachers and researchers…

Describes the JASON project, a joint project of the National Council for Social Studies and the National Science Teachers Association. Provides a sample lesson on the Punic Wars in which students study the relationship between shipbuilding and Rome's ascendancy to power. Explores the links among technology, science, and social studies. (RW)

Presents a set of four maps illustrating changing German political borders. Includes the time period from 1933, when Hitler came to power, until the division of Germany in 1945. Includes a map showing the Allied Powers against Germany, nations allied with Germany, and neutral nations. (CFR)

Describes one teacher's evolving beliefs about teaching cultural diversity: she has moved from a traditional textbook-oriented formula for teaching U.S. history to one that uses a greater breadth of materials and resources. Student writing reflects critical thinking about and understanding of the points of view of many diverse interest groups. (JB)

Contends that fiction can help students understand historical periods and events. Presents and discusses four criteria for selecting novels to be used in college courses on World War I and World War II. Includes a bibliographic essay on recommended novels for each war. (CFR)

Asserts that professors of U.S. history have an important stake in the publication of standards for teaching history in the public schools. Discusses the development of the standards and controversies that emerged. Concludes that college historians will benefit if the voluntary standards are implemented. (CFR)

Contends that the development of professional historians in the late 1800s resulted in a conflict with teacher educators in teacher training institutions. Concludes that involving historians in precollegiate history issues in recent years has led to an improved image for secondary history teachers. (CFR)

Summarizes the various interpretations and representations of Canadian educational history in textbooks and other scholarly publications from the last 20 years. Charts the appearance in educational history of intellectual and social history, as well as minority and feminist considerations. (MJP)

This paper discusses a project that was designed to explore Dutch student attitudes about World War II and how the War is portrayed in Dutch history textbooks. The project was undertaken as part of an effort to help teachers provide Dutch students with better insight into the causes, background, and aftermath of World War II; and to develop in the…

In 1996, Minnesota's Anoka Ramsey Community College (ARCC) participated in the Exploring America's Communities project sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges. The project works to strengthen the teaching and learning of American History, literature, and culture at U.S. community colleges. The grant application from the ARCC…

In 1996, New Jersey's Bergen Community College (BCC) participated in the American Association of Community Colleges' Exploring America's Communities project, which works to strengthen the teaching and learning of American history, literature, and culture at U.S. community colleges. BCC's primary goals were: infusing material into existing American…