Explores how social-studies student teachers think about and write about history through an examination of their historical thinking, use of sources, and writing. Focuses on constructing historical accounts from multiple sources. Discusses common patterns in thinking and writing. Suggests way to improve student teachers' engagement with historical…

Argues that students should do hands-on work with original primary sources that are within archival collections. Gives students an opportunity to interact in an unfamiliar environment, learn new techniques for discovery, and develop a connection with people from the past. Offers examples of how students can work with archival materials. (CMK)

Describes a project based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) that offers students a chance to design and implement a mini-research program to prepare them for an undergraduate research project. Discusses the context of the GPS exercise, teaching and learning outcomes, and advantages and evaluation of the exercise. (CMK)

Illustrates the way that writing imaginary interviews with dead people can enhance students' grasp of history. Recounts author's personal experience with a college history assignment in which he interviewed the Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Includes a copy of the interview. Describes the assignment as a combination of primary source…

Describes the Southwest Texas State University course "History Practicum: Researching, Writing, and Publishing Local History" that stresses computer proficiency, teamwork, and active learning. Students create and publish a guidebook for a town, city, or historic site in central Texas. Discusses the publication process of "San Marcos: A Guide to a…

Discusses the resources "The Great American History Machine: An Interactive Atlas of 19th and 20th Century U.S. Social and Political History" and "The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War." Describes how each is used to teach undergraduates in a course on history research methods. (CMK)

This paper introduces topics about the American West to teachers and students of U.S. history and suggests that interested students can pursue the topics at greater length. The report is based on information from the novelist, Tony Hillerman, who states in "The Best of the West" (1991) that there are many firsthand accounts and other…

Asserts that when students are researching for papers using electronic resources, the best place for them to start is at websites developed by universities in order to guarantee that the information is reliable. Offers a site that enables students to evaluate the legitimacy of websites and provides three reputable world history websites. (CMK)

This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration file, "University of Virginia Historic District," and other primary and secondary materials about Thomas Jefferson and the ctreation of the University of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson did not begin the effort of designing the University of Virginia…

Proposes methods of applying new social studies teaching techniques. Suggests making the social studies classroom more social through group discussion, research, and writing. Recommends using textbook journals to help students learn to think, read, and write more critically. Calls for the use of interpersonal and textual metadiscourse. (SG)

Describes a curriculum development project completed by undergraduate education majors. The project consists of a picture or graphic organizer serving as a focal point surrounded by citations to non-fiction and fiction sources related to that point. An accompanying essay allowed the students to justify their selections. (MJP)

This guide describes activities, methods, and materials which can be used in conducting a beginning-level social-science research project. Designed for secondary and college students as a laboratory component of a social studies or social science course, it provides ideas for firsthand experience in the methods used by social scientists for their…

Examines a teaching strategy called "constructive controversy" where students are required to argue both the pro and con positions concerning a controversial current topic. Describes students' response to a class using this method to examine the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Student response was generally favorable. (MJP)

Presents a roundtable discussion among several high school and university educators who have conducted oral history projects. The teachers discuss their specific projects and extrapolate some general guidelines for conducting oral history research. Examines the influence that Foxfire has had on these efforts. (MJP)

This is a list of curriculum projects supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) which include materials with environmental implications even though the titles may not necessarily indicate that this is the case. Other NSF programs listed are: The Summer Institutes in Environmental Sciences for Secondary School Teachers; Summer Conferences…