Oral history is a valuable teaching technique to use with elementary students because it provides a sense of self-identity; nurtures a concept of neighborhood; develops research and writing skills; and encourages a sense of curiosity, wonder, and excitement about history. Suggestions for beginning an elementary oral history project are presented.…

Through the use of history resource folders containing literature and primary source materials, elementary teachers can involve children in historical issues. Discusses how to design and construct the resource folders and provides suggestions for themes, source materials, and learning activities. (RM)

This paper aligns with educators and historians who argue that certain aspects of expert historical thinking are excellent tools for democratic citizenship. The paper focuses on specifically contextualized understanding of the past, as opposed to presentist attitudes, which assume the past is just like the present. It presents a framework for…

This ERIC Digest describes what primary sources are and how and why they can be used in elementary school classrooms. Primary sources are historical artifacts with which students can interact to effectively engage in active learning. Topics discussed in the Digest include: "What Are Primary Sources?"; "Why Use Primary…

This study assessed the influence of emphasizing historical investigation with fifth graders through documentation of classroom activities and students' analysis of historical documents and images before and after the design experiment. Data suggested that the investigative approach holds promise for teaching fifth graders how to analyze…

Presents an interdisciplinary approach to teaching history at the elementary level. Suggests that a concept-based approach could expand the role of children's literature in the elementary classroom and bring history to the center of the curriculum. Lists five points to consider when selecting literature for a history unit. (KO)

Explores the history of social studies instruction. Reports findings of an analysis of 1,217 lessons contained in 5 social studies textbooks. Concludes that geography, history, and anthropology receive the greatest coverage in the books, whereas sociology and political science are stressed least. Identifies differences among the five books.…

Discusses an elementary teacher's use of educational skits in history instruction. Describes the preparation of skit scripts. Observes that children who grow up passively watching television need encouragement to become actively involved in learning. Suggests that rehearsing the past may be the best way to prepare for the future. (SG)

Asserts that the use of historical novels in the elementary curriculum is becoming increasingly popular. Provides a four-step process that guides instruction using novels. Includes recommendations for selecting the novels, preteaching activities, and enrichment activities. (CFR)

Presents a rationale for writing in social studies and sample writing activities. Suggests that writing actively involves students in learning, providing another mode for encoding information, and improving writing skills. Includes strategies for writing in social studies. Argues that social studies is an especially rich content area for…

Describes British teachers' perceptions of the first year's implementation of elementary school history using a national curriculum (NC). Surveys about staffing, curriculum development, inservice training, department structure, and NC requirements indicated the experience of implementing the NC was difficult, and only half the respondents favored…

Contrasts the ambivalent attitudes of teachers toward television and generalized research on teachers' uses of television, with detailed empirical evidence from primary school history coordinators describing their reactions to and expectations of the medium. The data describes a wide variety of reasons why television is educationally useful in the…

Advocates the use of archaeology and anthropology as tools for delivering multicultural education in the elementary setting. Argues that archaeology demonstrates to children the ways that various cultures have solved problems related to a common set of human needs. Discusses curriculum design and includes two lesson plans. (DSK)

Recommends using the National Council for Social Studies' ten thematic strands when teaching children about the "world of work." Provides focus questions and learning activities related to the "world of work" for each strand. (CMK)