Purpose: After a short historical presentation, this country report highlights current developments of social science education in France and clarifies its general status in the French school system, giving not only information about the curricula baselines, but also on current reforms, shifts and conflict lines among practitioners and…

In this article, the authors focus on ways to structure conversations about racism in world history classrooms through a case study of race and racism in Haiti at the turn of the 19th century. Drawing on the events of the Haitian Revolution, the authors describe how identifying patterns of racial hierarchy can provide a framework for talking about…

In the winter of 2011, this author was working late in her classroom at Central Bucks High School West in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, when she opened an email offering a summer institute where 15 teachers would walk the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France. The catch--each teacher had to bring one high school student. The Albert Small Student/Teacher…

At a time when the power of schools and both state and federal education authorities to guide young people's sense of belonging is being challenged by multilingualism, by the claims of supra- and subnational regions and minorities, by memories of national catastrophes and crimes, and by out-of-school educational media, this collection of essays…

The French Revolution can be a difficult subject to teach. Students often struggle to relate to events that happened more than two hundred years ago in France. In this article, the author suggests three key causes for the failure of the revolution that social studies teachers can focus on when teaching this topic. He also provides several stories…

A history of French rule in Indochina is offered by way of explanation of the current involvement of the United States in that Asian country. (JB)

Although the mandate to promote information literacy in the classroom is no longer a new one, many teachers still struggle to find trustworthy Web sites and tools that allow them to meet that challenge in a meaningful way. The Internet is an exciting and powerful tool for research and learning. It also is one of the ultimate conduits for freedom…

Describes the use of Charles Minard's graphic of Napoleon's 1812 Russian Campaign as an instructional tool in history classes. Maintains that the graphic, created in 1861, can be analyzed by students to determine six historical and geographical factors involved in Napoleon's defeat. Includes a copy of Minard's graphic. (CFR)

Suggests that teachers can enliven their world history classroom through debates, plays, improvisations, readings, and drama. Describes how to use drama to enhance the study of the ordinary citizen of the Napoleonic era. (DB)

Traces the development of radicalism from the 1789 French Revolution to the present. States that radical philosophy has its roots in rationalism and Enlightenment thought and was linked to positivism during the nineteenth century. Despite the failings of radicalism and the Radical Party, the radical tradition set precedents for current political…

Asserts that the use of multimedia furthers historians' work as opposed to changing it. Explores three objectives that multimedia allows historians to achieve: (1) the issue of representation; (2) the concern with emphasizing historical thinking skills; and (3) the topic of how others appropriate history. (CMK)

Discusses the activities of German intellectuals who became political activists in France and Germany during the French revolutionary period. Examines how literature became a means to revolutionize the philosophy of these writers. Describes the revolutionary continuum in Germany from the Mainz Republic to the 1848 revolution. (GEA)

Presents a lesson focusing on the history of slavery. Compares two systems of slavery in North America to teach students about slavery within and outside of the United States. States that the lesson uses the "Code Noir" to help students understand the similarities and differences between the systems. (CMK)

Contends that the D-Day assault on Normandy's beaches in 1944 was critically important to the Allied war effort and ultimately to the security of all nations. Presents a lesson plan based on a message drafted in the early hours of D-Day by General Dwight D. Eisenhower and sent to his superior, General George C. Marshall. (CFR)

Presents a history lesson based on the deed of presentation for the Statue of Liberty. Discusses the conception and history of the statue and its presentation to the United States as a gift from the people of France. Includes a copy of the document, topics for class discussion, and research, writing, and design activities. (DK)