This learning activity, "Feeding Your Family for a Year," teaches students about how the shift from nomadic, hunter-gatherer societies to agrarian societies led to inequities in resources, which in turn allowed a leisure class to develop (Cordes & Ibrahim, 2003). The activity demonstrates how an unequal distribution of resources,…

The men of the Breckinridge family have a long history of service to the nation, including many politicians, soldiers, and even a vice president of the United States. But it was a woman in the family, Mary, who had, arguably, the most direct and long-lived impact on those she served. As the founder of the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) of Eastern…

Photography is a powerful medium with which to explore social issues and concerns through the intersection of artistic form and concept. Through the discussions of images and suggested activities, students will understand various ways photographers have documented and addressed racism and discrimination. This Instructional Resource presents a…

Discusses the history of high school athletics. Describes cultural forces that contributed to the emergence of high school athletics such as socialization, the competitive urge, and the unifying effect within the community. Includes a bibliography, objectives of the lesson, instructions for student preparation, and handouts for activities. (DK)

Part of the "How to Do It" series available from the National Council for the Social Studies, 3501 Newark Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20016, this booklet describes how to involve intermediate-grade through high school students in reconstructing biographies and discovering history by using local primary source documents. (JDH)

Advocates creating a reference room stocked with yearbooks, school newspapers, scrapbooks, pictures, programs, athletic records, and films in order to preserve a school's history. (FL)

One trend for social studies education in the 1980s is closing the gap between sociohistorical research and teaching. A sample social history lesson for secondary students on the "Nineteenth Century Concept of the 'Criminal"' is included. (AM)

Focusing on the women of colonial Virginia, this learning activity package introduces students to the social history of that period. The unit is designed to be implemented in either a one or three-week format and makes use of audio tapes and slides gathered at the 1985 Stratford-Monticello Seminar held at the University of Virginia. (JDH)

Suggests field trips and other activities for studying contemporary and historic costume. (SJL)

This article provides directions for teaching intermediate grade level children about the history which can be learned by studying old cemeteries. A sample handout for student data collection is included. (JDH)

Reviews developments and key books in the field of urban history within the United States. Notes that the field has come a long way since Arthur Schlesinger, Sr. wrote THE RISE OF THE CITY in 1933. Concludes that current trends emphasize narrative, readability, and an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. (JDH)

History has previously been learned as a long parade; making it wider, not just a single file of great men, is certainly an improvement. But whole areas of life reflect patterns of change that are apart from the major concerns of political leaders. Humanizing history makes it memorable and gives children a sense of connection. (MT)

Describes computer assisted instruction in social history to teach college students to use the resources and methods of the quantitative historian. Using commercially available prepared data sets, students analyze empirical data such as parish records, census data, and other civil records on the European family. (RM)

Outlines the assignments and topics covered in a 13-week human sexuality course and reviews and annotates course readings and films. Topics covered in the class include: sexuality in sex-positive and sex-negative cultures, in pre-industrial Europe; in Russia and Germany; in the Third World; and in advanced capitalist society. (AYC)

Presents a lesson plan dealing with women and sport in U.S. history. Discusses the themes of physical capabilities, propriety, and femininity. Describes exercises and projects that can be used to integrate the lesson into different subjects. Includes a reading list, modified rules for women's basketball, and portions of the social debate on women…