The history of a neighborhood vacant lot was undertaken by gifted fifth graders. Investigative skills developed included collecting raw data, categorizing data, and reaching conclusions based on the information. Procedures included observing, listing, looking, sketching, note taking, map making, and interviewing. Findings were published in a book…

A one-day per week pull-out social studies program for gifted fifth graders incorporates theories of John Dewey and Joseph Renzulli (the Enrichment Triad Model) in the study of economics, urbanization, and social organization, as well as participation in community service projects. (CL)

Many teachers bring caterpillars into their class for their students to see the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. This is exciting and educational, but more can be done using Monarchs across the curriculum. This article describes an integrated butterfly unit for students in grades four to six that starts with identifying the Monarch…

Discusses the use of primary resources in the teaching of middle school social studies. Describes a lesson in which students were given a copy of the Declaration of Independence, written in everyday language, and were asked to discuss and evaluate it. Suggests another activity based on Thomas Jefferson's writings. (SG)

Describes the framework and 31 model lessons developed by the University of Georgia's Sea Grant Project, the major purpose of which is to make upper elementary and secondary students more aware of coastal and marine affairs. An illustrative lesson is included. (RM)

A middle school teacher describes how his class actually practiced democracy by writing a classroom constitution. Students made rules by which they were governed within the classroom. (RM)

The use of a travel writer's approach to social studies instruction, where students gather information to write travel guides about countries they're studying, is illustrated through activities for studies about Egyptian passport and visa applications, currency, history, language, and art. (CB)

Suggests adding excitement to social studies instruction by using trade books. Cites research associating the reading of historical fiction with increased historical understanding. Describes the benefits of trade books' narrative form. Argues that such books can change students into active learners, help them study a slice of history, and increase…

Identifies works of historical fiction from various periods that can help teach middle school students about family relationships. Suggests having students draw sociograms to help them visualize relationships among characters. Argues that such readings can spur student interest in the causes, effects, and consequences of the need for family love.…

Discusses the value of student-created artifact kits as a means of visualizing and synthesizing knowledge about another time. Explains steps to be followed in guiding students on the project. Includes a bibliography, list of sources, and suggested ingredients. Suggests that handling artifacts and primary source materials enables students to order…

For 8 weeks during 1991, a project was conducted in which literacy was emphasized within the context of one fourth-grade social studies classroom. The overall goal for this unit of instruction was to create language-rich experiences that would stimulate higher order thinking about the concept of Liberty. Additionally, students were to become more…

Children's natural curiosity should be more adequately satisfied, resarch has suggested--especially in grades 4 to 6. Traditionally, the scope and sequence approach which is a learning-what-others think or have thought rather than a learning-to-think-for-oneself method begins during the middle school years. It is interesting to observe that…

Intermediate and junior high school students became very involved with this learning activity which involved detective work. Working in groups, students had to solve a riddle based on a sequence of clues. The answer to each set of clues was either a person, an event, or a place. (RM)

For the past five years, Andover, Kansas middle-schoolers in an amateur radio club and class have sent and received Morse code messages, assembled and soldered circuit boards, designed and built antenna systems, and used computer programs to analyze radio communications problems. A successful bond issue financed a ham shack enabling students to…

During the 1960s and early 1970s two educational movements were the evolution of the middle school and the structures of disciplines approach to social studies. These movements involved school organization, curriculum development, and methodologies incorporating the inquiry or conceptual approach. Learners had trouble with the conceptual approach,…