For adolescents, fiction can be an effective source of social information. The material is experienced through subjective involvement in the lives of other people. The student accumulates the historical or background information incidentally from the narrative itself. A variety of teaching methods, including discussion, role playing, and student…

Presents a lesson designed for secondary economics classes. Students role play adults in selected occupations, create personal budgets, and make investment and savings decisions. Student directions and questions are included. (CFR)

The League of Women Voters/Tallahassee responded to an opportunity to research the concerns of Florida's judiciary following the disrupted general election of 2000. It received a grant for the Judicial Independence Project, a project supported by a grant from the Program on Law and Society of the Open Society Institute, from the League of Women…

Case studies which can be used in secondary social studies classes to teach students about the rights of persons with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities are presented. Examples of questions which can be used to stimulate discussion of the case studies are also included. (RM)

Presents a lesson plan for teaching about the role of African-American religious leaders in the U.S. civil rights movement. Provides scripts with which students play the roles of various members of a community. Explains that students decide which speakers would be most likely to lead the local civil rights movement. (SG)

Discusses general principles relating to the design, use, and assessment of social studies simulations that have been learned through practical experience. Defines, addresses the educational benefits of, outlines steps in creating and managing, and offers suggestions for, evaluating simulations. (DSK)

The 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas has raised a debate over how historians and teachers should portray this moment in history. Some view Columbus as a hero whose courage helped to provide a foundation for modern civilization in the Americas, while others see him as a villain who exploited indigenous people and…

The life of James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," and his role in U.S. history are discussed in this guide to an educational program designed to acquaint students with Madison prior to a class field trip to his home, Montpelier. An essay on Madison and the Constitution is included, as well as a vocabulary list, a historic…

Suggests that character and personality profiles can heighten student interest in history. Provides an outline for writing a report on an historical personality and recommends activities which involve students in simulation and creative writing. (Author/DB)

Discusses the teacher's responsibilities in role-playing situations in consumer education; identifies four different kinds of simulations; and suggests six topics for role-playing about consumer issues. (AV)

Describes how a role-playing approach may be used to capture the style, flavor, and conversation of nineteenth-century British life through the staging of a Victorian tea. Examines the economic, social, and cultural questions addressed through the technique. Also discusses evaluation and student impact and recommends the activity for any…

Demonstrates the use of 10 role playing scenarios which involve junior and senior high students in the social milieu of the time in U.S. history before women were able to vote. Identifies resource materials, describes roles students may take, and provides sample objectives. (JDH)

Describes a simple simulation for teaching secondary students about nuclear power as a source of energy by having them role play various interest groups. Game rules, including division of class members into four interest groups, are described. The author suggests eight references that would be useful for the simulation. (Author/DB)

Presents one example of an individualized and open social studies course wherein the class became a microcosm of the community and discusses the values of such an approach. (TO)

Use of a variety of student groupings and teaching techniques in a course designed by the authors has led to high student interest and accomplishment, as indicated by attitudinal and subject-matter tests. (IM)