To help history classroom teachers on the high school level make their classes more interesting, this article suggests that teachers incorporate short stories, books, poems, and excerpts from full-length novels into the curriculum. Examples of how literature of various types was successfully integrated into a history unit on the Civil War are…

Looks at some work done by children who are encouraged to use the techniques of the professional historian. (Editor)

Describes an activity entitled the "Wax Museum" in which students create a scene based on an historical event such as the Colonial Period, Revolutionary War, or Industrialization. Provides a list of children's books that can be used as resource material for the creation of the museum. Includes helpful hints and procedures. (RW)

Describes a simulation exercise designed to help students understand the objections of U.S. colonists to the Stamp Act and other taxes. Includes a sample handout, instructions for the teacher in carrying out the simulation, and questions to compare students' and colonists' about feelings being assessed fees unfairly. (DK)

Addresses the incorporation of cooperative learning in the secondary history classroom. Suggests procedures to be followed during the planning stage of a cooperative activity: (1) choose appropriate content; (2) for student teams; and (3) develop materials and directions. Suggests that the involvement of cooperative learning will offer motivation…

This report discusses the reactions of the U.S. focus group of the National Council for History Education to proposed standards for the U.S. history curriculum. General concerns of classroom teachers about the proposed standards include the lack of a developmental concept from kindergarten through grade 12, and too much influence of…

The document provides United States history teachers with suggested teaching techniques from a variety of popular culture genre used during the thirties to help secondary students examine various social, cultural, economic, and political events, that encompass the Great Depression era. The popular culture forms described and discussed as…

This document, intended for elementary students, contains articles and activities designed to acquaint young people with the history of Des Moines, Iowa. The articles are short, and new or difficult words are highlighted and defined for young readers. "The Raccoon River Indian Agency" discusses the archeological exploration of the indian…

This book explores the issue of what is feasible in teaching history to young children. It advocates more and better teaching of history in the belief that improving history instruction in the elementary school is a fundamental first step toward improving all elementary social studies. Chapter 1 explores the nature of history and reviews important…

The successful study of history requires many things, but few would contest that an understanding of time is one of them. Quite what we mean by "an understanding of time" needs clarification, however. Chronological understanding is one feature. But it is not simply an ability to place events in order that drives our teaching (although…

Designed for elementary school students, this unit on the Wyoming evolution from territory to statehood provides concepts, activities, stories, resources, and maps. Concepts stress the five national flags which have flown over Wyoming, several other territories Wyoming was a part of, construction of the Union Pacific railroad, problems of the new…

The resource guide is structured for Arizona history and social studies teachers as an aid in planning classroom activities for kindergarten through grade 12. Developed as part of the Bicentennial program, the guide focuses on the themes of heritage, festival, and horizons. The heritage section furnishes a historical perspective for organizing…

Describes a workshop in which doorknobs were introduced as one set of physical objects which could help both teachers and students develop a better understanding of social history and the past. Teachers examined decoration, design, function, and technical developments and learned the historical significance of a formerly insignificant object. (KC)

Discusses the usefulness of war games in high school and college classrooms, specifically games involving the role of Western Europe in World War II. Twenty games are identified and evaluated in terms of strategy and educational value. (AV)

Briefly reviews the history surrounding the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Presents a facsimile of Delaware's 200 year-old ratification document and suggests six activities for its use with secondary level students. (JDH)