Immigration is currently one of the most contentious issues in both the United States and in much of the world. In order to confront powerful xenophobic narratives, there have been theoretical arguments for a more open and inclusive immigration system. Most of the arguments for this more inclusive system are based in the ideas of compassion and…

This practitioner-based book provides different approaches for reaching an increasing population in today's schools - English language learners (ELLs). The recent development and adoption of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (CCSS-ELA/Literacy), the…

The author describes a social studies unit designed to help students develop critical thinking skills. The lessons give students opportunities to analyze multiple perspectives, use multiple sources when conducting research, and construct historical narratives through the creation of a digital historical biography.

In this article, the author goes beyond Supreme Court decisions to investigate the upbringing and personalities of three Supreme Court justices who left their mark on history: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Sandra Day O'Connor. His interviews with their biographers, G. Edward White for Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Juan Williams…

Prosopography is the investigation of the common background characteristics of a group of people in history by means of a collective study of lives. How the discipline of prosopography can be used to help secondary and college level students understand the nuances of power is examined. (RM)

The feats of individuals who have made history in the aerospace world are often misunderstood and soon ignored or forgotten after the first notoriety has been achieved. Amelia Earhart was selected as the subject for this learning packet because of her brilliant accomplishments on the world of flight, a persistent desire to determine what really…

This booklet contains biographical information about Bessie Coleman, Nellie Bly, Gertrude Ederle, Sojourner Truth, Chien-Shiung Wu, Yoshiko Uchida, Madam C. J. Walker, Maria Martinez, Jovita Idar, Margaret Bourke-White, Sally Ride, and Sybil Ludington. These women are noted for their important contributions to United States history. It is hoped…

Girls show an early interest in science, but are deterred from pursuing science careers as they get older due to society's stereotypes. This text identifies the many women in history who have made significant contributions to all scientific fields. The volume features the biographies of Maria Mitchell (Astronomer); Ellen Richards (Chemist,…

Presents a lesson plan for a second-grade class project. Suggests that the students will learn to identify the word "famous," complete a timeline for a famous person, learn facts about the person, and express individual thoughts and feelings. Explains the steps involved in the presentation of a living museum where students portray famous…

This document discusses the movement to bring original historical sources into the classroom. Because students of history need access to sources of information that provide direct or primary evidence about reality, teachers must show that realistic alternatives to the traditional history text exist. In the first section of this paper, efforts to…

This K-8 activity helps students visually highlight the lives of notable women using 3-D biography boxes. Students read a biography, create the boxes, fill in all six sides with pictures and information, place one item in the box that their subjects would treasure, and make class presentations. A sample box is provided. (SM)

Understanding multiple perspectives--how different people see one another and events now and in the past--is often cited as a goal of social studies educators. This article describes one way to encourage children to consider a variety of perspectives on a person's life story, using a literary model as a guide to thinking about the past. The book…

This booklet, intended for use by educators and by workplace and community organizers, introduces women who have been featured on U.S. postage stamps as well as a few of the women who clearly merit such honor in the future. Postage stamps featuring women have been relatively few and far between and have only skimmed the surface of U.S. women in…

Suggestions to help social studies teachers use historical fiction and biography to teach critical reading to intermediate grade students are made. For example, teachers should help students to check various sources for the author's qualifications, purpose, and bias and assist students in analyzing language and writing style. (RM)

The Eisenhower Foundation developed and produced posters and curriculum materials for "Dreams of a Barefoot Boy: 1890-1911," the first in a series that examines, in depth, the life and times of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th U.S. President. This collection of primary source documents consists of documents with social themes relating to:…