A REPORT OF THE 10TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE GUIDE TO EDUCATE SEVENTH GRADERS ABOUT RUSSIA INCLUDED THE HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE, IDEOLOGY, AND AIMS OF THE U.S.S.R. OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDY ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AND TO USE THE INDUCTIVE METHOD WERE SUGGESTED. A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE AND SUMMARIES OF EVENTS IN RUSSIAN HISTORY WERE…

Describes the use of Charles Minard's graphic of Napoleon's 1812 Russian Campaign as an instructional tool in history classes. Maintains that the graphic, created in 1861, can be analyzed by students to determine six historical and geographical factors involved in Napoleon's defeat. Includes a copy of Minard's graphic. (CFR)

Describes two books of curriculum materials published by the National Council on Economic Education regarding the Central and East European transition economies: (1) "Economies in Transition: Command to Market" (1997); and (2) "From Plan to Market: Teaching Ideas for Social Studies, Economics, and Business Classes" (1997). (DSK)

Discusses using educational and popular films and television for history instruction. Argues that students need training to see the bias built into film making through the editing process. Urges that critical thinking must be developed in students to make use of mass media coverage of historical and current events as teaching tools. (DK)