A central aim of social studies curriculum is to prepare young people for making "informed and reasoned decisions for the public good" concerning consequential problems like global climate change. By developing students' "vision of a good society" and exploring what actions and policies move our society in this direction,…

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)

While research efforts have determined that decision making is of major importance in lesson planning, there has been little work that systematically explores the effect of training in decision making on lesson planning, particularly in terms of preservice teachers. This study used four computer simulations designed to teach decision making skills…

Addresses the teaching methods of Michael Welch, a seventh grade teacher, who incorporates the humanities, such as drama and literature, into his history classroom in order to help students learn to question, think analytically, solve problems, and make decisions. Summarizes a particular unit on the Ice Age. (CMK)

Demonstrates a thematic approach, using soup as the theme, to integrate and correlate elementary social studies with other subject areas. Outlines four soup activities, presenting goals, materials, strategies, and extensions of each. Stresses how integrated curricula effectively develops skills such as observing, inferring, serial ordering, and…

Argues the archaeologist/anthropologist approach motivates and engages students, and teaches interpretive and problem-solving skills. Outlines a role play for intermediate grades in which students observe, describe, and make inferences about the contents of a suitcase packed by someone known to the students. Lists objectives, materials,…

The curriculum evaluation reviews content and teaching methods of various materials in civic and legal education. Twenty-one objectives of the Law in a Free Society project are identified and the adequacy of the materials reviewed to attain these objectives is discussed. Objectives include recognition of the following: (1) complexities of legal…

Maintains that group work is an integral part of the California History-Social Science Framework's three central goals. Reviews research studies on the effectiveness of small group instruction. Discusses teacher role, factors that affect interaction, student characteristics, and teaching methods associated with effective group instruction. (CFR)

The guide outlines concepts central to the process of governance at local, state, and national levels. It is intended for use by junior high school social studies teachers as they develop and implement educational programs to help students understand governmental structure and functions and to develop skills in evaluating government strategies and…

One of a set of high school curricula on nuclear issues, this 10-day social studies unit helps students understand the interrelationship of economics, the arms race, military spending, and the threat of nuclear war. Activities such as role plays, discussion, brainstorming, and problem solving develop students' abilities to evaluate issues and…

The paper discusses curriculum change in American education and describes a social studies curriculum model intended to help high school students become better decision makers. The paper is presented in eight sections. Section I identifies educational programs which have been implemented in response to crisis situations. Among these are sex…