To enliven her class' study of the American West, the author had students write letters as if they were pioneers heading west. The results were developed into a school play, an excerpt of which forms the bulk of this article. (SJL)

The recent Library of Congress exhibition, From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life in America, has sparked renewed interest in the history of Jews in the United States. The collection featured more than 200 documents, images, and artifacts that chronicle the Jewish American experience. In exhibit from September through December 2004, From…

Designed to help teachers, this curriculum guide outlines a field trip eighth-grade students take to visit a Florida student museum. Objectives for student learning as well as pre- and post-visit activities are included. Three lesson plans also are suggested: pioneer room, being an historian, and pioneer crafts. The student museum curriculum also…

Readings and activities in this elementary school unit are designed to introduce students to Amish culture. Specific reference is made to the Amish communities in Iowa. Four lessons focus on the history of the Amish in the United States, Amish family life, community life, and customs (such as clothing and occupations) in modern Amish communities.…

This theme issue contains articles about the importance of learning local history. The lead article includes historical information about three Iowa cities: Council Bluffs, Waterloo, and Jefferson. Other features in this issue are entitled: "Iowa Kids Talk,""Digging Into Local History,""Goldie's Top Ten News Stories";…

The USS Constitution, one of the original three frigates in the U.S. Navy, celebrated its 190th anniversary in 1987. To commemorate this event and to study the naval history of frigates, five exercises were created that detail the history and focus on the USS Constitution. The exercises begin with a fill-in-the-blank test that teaches students…

An introductory and a negotiations exercise offer activities related to the choices offered to the participants in the American Revolution. The choices offered are discussed from the viewpoint of Roger Fisher, a law professor. (KM)

This article describes a simulation activity in which students with deafness were "sold" and treated as slaves for half a day. Evaluation indicated that the "slaves" developed deeply negative feelings about slavery as they experienced the physical labor and personal humiliation involved in slavery, and "masters" felt uncomfortable treating…

Designed primarily for sixth grade students, this 2-week learning packet on Alaska can be adapted to grades 5 and 7. Material is divided into three sections. Following a discussion of how and when to introduce this unit, the teacher section contains a brief summary of each of the unit's seven lessons. The student section contains readings and…

The Washington social studies curriculum for small schools, for grades 4-12, developed in 1980-81, is designed to help teachers improve instruction and help smaller districts lacking curriculum personnel comply with the state's Student Learning Objectives (SLO) Law. Written by curriculum specialists and classroom teachers, seven social studies…

One of a series of pamphlets about the American Revolution in Georgia, this document examines the role of James Wright as British governor in the colony, and his viewpoints about revolution from 1765-1775. The pamphlet can be used as supplementary reading or as a one-week unit for junior or senior high school students. A brief teacher's guide is…

Designed for use with fourth and fifth grade combination classes, this student worktext combines concepts and content from both California and U. S. history courses. Material is arranged into the following seven chapters: Discovery and Exploration; Colonizing a New Land; A New Nation and New Californians; Westward Expansion; Civil War,…

Resource materials to help students understand the important role labor has played in U.S. history are cited in this annotated listing. The majority of the items cited are intended for secondary students and the general reader; however, some materials for elementary students are also included. The bibliography begins by describing 63 activities…

This guide is designed to accompany "The Great American Landmarks Adventure," a book for students that describes 43 of the National Historic Landmarks located in the United States. The guide includes suggested activities in the areas of: (1) art and communication; (2) architecture and engineering; (3) commerce and economics; (4) home and…

This curriculum introduces secondary students to the study of constitutional government in the United States. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of how the Constitution came into existence, why it took the form it did, and how it has functioned for the past 200 years. Through the 31 lessons of the text, organized into six…