Describes an activity entitled the "Wax Museum" in which students create a scene based on an historical event such as the Colonial Period, Revolutionary War, or Industrialization. Provides a list of children's books that can be used as resource material for the creation of the museum. Includes helpful hints and procedures. (RW)

A children's book author explains why she chose to write "Encounter," an accurate story of Christopher Columbus's first meeting with the gentle Taino tribe 500 years ago. The article presents suggestions for using "Encounter" as a springboard for activities to help elementary students interpret history. (SM)

Since 1988, a Salt Lake City elementary school has participated in World-Classroom, a unique global electronic information service allowing teachers and students around the world to share ideas and resources on mutual projects and current events. During the August 1991 coup attempt in the Soviet Union, the school maintained modem contact with a…

Summarizes an action-research project in which elementary teacher candidates enrolled in required multicultural awareness class observed classroom practices and interviewed mentor teachers at Dallas-Fort Worth schools about teaching practices, lesson content, and rationales related to Black History Month. Of the 48 schools studied, only 11 planned…

Argues that textile arts offer opportunities for students to explore other cultures and to illustrate themes contained in the National Council for the Social Studies Standards. Describes the use of Hmong "paj ntaub" textiles to teach elementary students about the Hmong people of Laos and Hmong immigrants in the United States. (DSK)

Explores how two preservice teachers viewed their teacher education courses and how these experiences influenced how each proposed to teach history. Indicates that they were influenced by objectivist epistemologies concerning historical knowledge and didactic teaching approaches, and both had ambitions not to teach from that epistemology or in…

A focus on people--whether community members, students, historical figures, or fictional characters--and their motivations brings excitement to learning. A community's experts on everything from jazz music and Chinese tapestries to building construction can help students move inside history and other subjects. (MLH)

Suggestions for enhancing the validity of the social study and restoring history to a relevant place in social inquiry were discussed. (Author/RK)

Part of an international series of amply illustrated, colorful, small size books for children ages 5 to 10, this volume outlines the step-by-step process of building a cathedral in the Middle Ages. Terms are defined and artisan techniques explained for each step on the way to building the edifice. The text also relates the story of how families…

This document, intended for elementary students, contains articles and activities designed to acquaint young people with the history of Des Moines, Iowa. The articles are short, and new or difficult words are highlighted and defined for young readers. "The Raccoon River Indian Agency" discusses the archeological exploration of the indian…

This book explores the issue of what is feasible in teaching history to young children. It advocates more and better teaching of history in the belief that improving history instruction in the elementary school is a fundamental first step toward improving all elementary social studies. Chapter 1 explores the nature of history and reviews important…

Designed for elementary school students, this unit on the Wyoming evolution from territory to statehood provides concepts, activities, stories, resources, and maps. Concepts stress the five national flags which have flown over Wyoming, several other territories Wyoming was a part of, construction of the Union Pacific railroad, problems of the new…

Oral language development, the single most important factor in determining readiness for reading, may be enhanced through creative drama, especially role playing. Role playing is spontaneous play which traditionally has served many purposes, including promoting socialization. It can also be a unique method of recreating historical episodes in…

Describes how the diary of Ada Millington, a twelve-year-old who traveled with her family from Keosauqua, Iowa, to Santa Rosa, California in 1862, was used to involve children from a variety of socio-economic, racial, ethnic and national backgrounds in social studies experiences which integrated language arts and math skills. (JDH)

Tells how one fourth grade teacher used the Berkeley Children's History Trunk, which contains memorabilia from the turn of the century, to help her students understand the importance of artifacts in learning about the history of their own society. Describes how the children created three trunks representing their own, their parents', and…