Biography is a popular approach to history education in the younger grades, especially when teaching units of study during Women's History Month, which is March. A biography-centered approach, however, can be problematic when such lessons are not tied to any context, promoting the misconception that individuals create social change in isolation.…

Children's literature is a rich source of information for teachers to use in helping elementary school students learn to become knowledgeable and active citizens. Seventy-four children's books are described in terms of their citizenship or law-related content. Lesson ideas and, in some cases, complete lesson plans are offered that creatively focus…

Encourages educators to use participation projects to develop active, socially concerned citizens. Views school as a place where students learn to negotiate problems and issues of society. Provides examples of projects where students and teachers plan integrated units using social studies as the basis for teaching. (NL)

This unit examines the responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen. It surveys the need for the participation of all citizens in the governing of the United States. Lessons explain that while the United States Constitution does not require the people of the United States to be good citizens, citizens need to work hard in order to stay free. The unit…

The Civic Achievement Award Program (CAAP) was established by the U.S. Congress in response to national concerns about the need to increase civic literacy among the nation's young people. The program was designed to provide elementary and middle school educators with interdisciplinary materials that focus on providing a base of civic competence,…

Lessons dealing with Black political participation in Georgia after the Civil War and during the integration of the University of Georgia are used as examples of values education. The concept of values education, its applicability to elementary school social studies, and reasons for using these examples are discussed. (IS)

Presents suggestions for making social studies interesting and motivating to students. The first article offers six strategies to make lessons dynamic. Several other articles go into the classroom to see how teachers are making social studies real to their students. Resources for further information are included. (SM)

In order to increase students' awareness of their place in the nation's political life, this unit introduces young children to the electoral process. Each lesson includes objectives, materials, procedures, and supplementary materials that can be duplicated for student use. The first five lessons are designed to improve student awareness of…

Intended for educators interested in providing peace and nuclear war education in the public schools, this publication examines the nature of peace and nuclear war education, rationales for its inclusion in the public school program, and ways to deal with the controversial nature of the topics. The first of eight chapters presents a four-fold…