"The Goldfinch" is a periodical that introduces young children to various facets of Iowa history. Each issue has a different theme topic and a number of articles covering diverse aspects of the topic being addressed. This issue focuses on letters and letter writing. Featured articles discuss letters that illuminate historical events. The…

A biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower is presented in this book for young children. Born in Denison, Texas, Eisenhower was reared on a farm in Abilene, Kansas. After graduating from Abilene High School, he went on to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Among his many career highlights were earning the ranks of five-star general…

Educational theorists repeatedly call for more hands-on, authentic, interpretative instruction in social studies. They characterize such instruction as "helping students understand the knowledge construction process" or teaching students "to construct their own historical narratives." While there have been some exceptions, most…

Asserts that World War II through its consequences still touches lives today. Presents suggested curriculum approaches and topics for teaching about the war to elementary school students. Includes recommended teaching resources and children's literature. (CFR)

This unit focuses on the decades of the 1940s and 1950s by studying key events from the eras. Students analyze issues and think critically about decisions made during the time. Topics of the unit include: (1) "Japanese Relocation"; (2) "Rationing: Who Should Get What?"; (3) "War in the Pacific"; (4) "The Draft: Who Should Fight a War?"; (5)…

This skills-text is one of four books in the series "Readings in American History." The materials allow opportunities to improve reading and comprehension skills in a subject matter context by using certain primary sources related to the topic. Book 4 covers the period from World War I through the Reagan years. Each lesson includes short readings…

Focuses on the use of primary sources to help students learn about children from the past. Offers resources and teaching ideas on topics such as children living during the frontier, the American Revolution, the U.S. Civil War, slavery and civil rights, and immigration. (CMK)

Presents instructional activities that bring "real world" content to the study of World War II by elementary students. Includes experiential activities such as interviews, guest speakers, visits to war memorials, and reading fiction and biographies. Includes an "All-American Matching Exercise" emphasizing cultural pluralism. (CFR)

Maintains that little is written for elementary and middle school students about the World War II Japanese internment camps. Asserts that the issue can help teach about democratic principles and citizenship. Presents a role-playing dialog on the topic and includes recommended materials for students and teachers. (CFR)

This textbook for elementary school children is a history of African Americans from 800 A.D. to 1992 in 24 chapters. Each chapter closes with a review that lists vocabulary words to learn, and offers thinking and writing questions. Some chapters also contain activity sheets. Chapter topics include African origins, black explorers and settlers in…

Maintains that during World War II the nature of elementary social studies changed significantly. Concludes that, as a result of enhanced and broadened activity during the war years, elementary social studies emerged as an important curricular field. (CFR)

Asserts that the growing interest in multicultural and global education is encouraging teachers to search for new ways to teach history. Describes the use of historical fiction in a sixth-grade, interdisciplinary, multicultural unit on World War II. Includes an annotated bibliography of 33 recommended books. (CFR)

Presents the annual annotated bibliography of children's trade books, recommended by the Book Review Subcommittee of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)-Children's Book Council (CBC) Joint Committee. Selects books written for children in grades K-8, emphasizing human relations and cultural diversity. Selection also reflects…