Our means of assessment might pose a problem. History teachers regularly set specific targets, with implicit or explicit reference to National Curriculum Levels, which are designed to move our pupils on and make them better historians. How, though, are we to prevent them from achieving their targets in a rather mechanistic way, ticking the boxes…

In this article, Alison Kitson and Alan McCully discuss the findings of their research into history teaching in the most divided part of the United Kingdom: Northern Ireland. Drawing on interviews with students and teachers, they consider what history teaching might contribute to an understanding of the current situation and reflect on the extent…

Reports on research concerning the use of computers in the history classroom. Examines several problem areas including lack of teaching resources, time management, software, and physical limitations. Recommends several approaches to alleviate these problems. (RKM)

Reports a research study in Scottish secondary schools to create diagnostic tests for assessing historical skills--in particular in enquiry, interpretation, and reconstruction of historical materials. Examples of the diagnostic instruments used and the structure of a teaching module are given and favorable reactions from pupils and teachers are…

Presents a lesson focusing on the history of slavery. Compares two systems of slavery in North America to teach students about slavery within and outside of the United States. States that the lesson uses the "Code Noir" to help students understand the similarities and differences between the systems. (CMK)

Provides background information on the events that led up to President Harry S. Truman firing General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War. Includes a copy of the document dismissing MacArthur from his position. Includes teaching activities corresponding to this event in history. (CMK)

Discusses how empathy is promoted in the United Kingdom's National Curriculum. Notes that the concept is ambiguous, especially as it is used in the subject of history. Describes how this concept impedes planning, teaching, and assessment. Suggests that understanding how children reason is more productive that making assumptions about how they…

Cites the decreased participation rates of women in sports as they age. Contends that sports historians, by focusing on women and sports, can dispel myths about the subject and provide women with positive role models. Provides informational sources for women in sports and discusses notable Canadian female athletes in history. (RW)

Reviews "Teaching and Learning in History," calling it more appropriate for people interested in history as a discipline rather than school history imbedded within social studies. The volume provides more for readers examining cognitive science-based novice-expert studies than readers interested in guidelines for history teaching and…

Offers ideas for teaching children about China. Includes suggestions dealing with geography, philosophy, history, and diet. Recommends means of bringing the topics to life through games, class discussion, role playing, and other activities. (SG)

Presents a basis of a history framework for program development in civics in Canadian schools. Identifies elements of government that are associated with civics and selects historical events through which to study these elements. Discusses the history of thought, history as a science, constitutional history, the government, leaders, and national…

Discusses the portrayal of women in Canadian history textbooks. Analyzes the extent of sex stereotyping in the books from the 1960s to the present. Suggests that the best way to address the problem is to meet it head on. Notes the failure of a Newfoundland teachers' group to win incorporation of a gender roles course into the curriculum. (SG)

Discusses teaching eighth-grade students about the Middle Ages at St. John's School in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Explores a lesson in Montreal history offered to third- and fourth-grade students at the city's Hampstead School. Describes an environmental education unit for kindergarteners at Montreal's Edinburgh School. (DK)

Discusses racist teaching charts which accompanied a Nazi German teacher's textbook on race biology. Examines the significance of the work of Alfred Vogel within the context of Nazi race education. Warns that school curriculum can easily be used to pervert science and advance racism when under control of a racist state. (DK)

Reviews relations between the United States and Europe from the American Revolution to contemporary times. Contends that U.S. foreign policy has always been characterized by a tension between involvement and isolationism. Determines that the United States is inextricably tied to Europe and the world. (CFR)