The study examined the value of teaching reading skills to learning disabled (LD) fourth to sixth graders through the content areas. Four LD resource teachers implemented the year-long program with 12 experimental and 10 control subjects. Experimental subjects were taught specific reading skills through their Social Studies and/or Science…

Social studies educators have promoted inquiry learning as a valuable method of instruction. Research into the use of inquiry methods in the teaching and learning of history has demonstrated that this method has much to offer. Recently, the use of technological tools, including the Internet, has received attention as a means of transforming social…

Demonstrates use of a threaded model of integration to promote collaborative learning across the middle-school curriculum. By beginning the year with literature portraying characters who feel richly rewarded by working together, teachers can promote collaboration as a social necessity and reading for pleasure and social growth. The spirit of…

Suggests greater emphasis on middle school music education, both as part of general education and of the curriculum's exploratory component. Argues that music can add emotion to social studies and promote learning in all subject areas through rhythm, rhyme, and repetition. Calls for student opportunities to explore instruments and composition. (SG)

Studied effectiveness of a cooperative-learning approach designed to foster strategic reading and social studies learning, in three heterogeneous, culturally and linguistically diverse, fourth-grade classrooms. Found that the experimental-group students made greater gains than control-group students in reading comprehension, and equal gains in…

"The Later Middle Ages: Civilization Reborn" in Ginn's "Our World," a chapter from a sixth grade social studies textbook, was assessed by the author, who used specific evaluation criteria. Although four strengths were indicated, the author dealt primarily with weaknesses of the text and made many suggestions for improvement.…

This paper presents the ethical principles of the social studies profession in light of the daily routine of an elementary classroom. This pilot study was begun in the spring of 1996 when the researcher spent time in an elementary classroom in the midwest observing the life and culture of a fifth grade classroom. Data collected appeared to…

Five fifth grade and five sixth grade textbooks commonly used in Michigan public schools were examined to determine the extent to which they (1) reflected the pluralistic nature of the U.S. society and also (2) showed scholarship, educational soundness, and appropriate readability. Six of eight independent and qualified educators reviewed and…

This paper presents the results of an evaluation study of a sex equity program designed to affect the achievement and attitudes of early adolescent students in the middle school. The Self-Concept and Decision-Making Middle School Curriculum Program at Florida State University developed sex equity curricular materials titled "Decisions About…

A study examined the effects of "round robin reading" (RRR) as an instructional procedure in social studies. Specifically, the study asked whether an oral textbook presentation had a significant effect on learning social studies material and if grade level, reading level, social studies knowledge, and gender significantly affected the…

Discusses how students acquire curriculum knowledge and beliefs in typical upper-elementary and middle-school social studies and science units, and how the cognitive processes involved in acquiring knowledge are themselves acquired through classroom experiences. Uses evidence from a series of classroom studies to demonstrate how classroom learning…

This document consists of a final report and executive summary. The report is that of a project involving eight college and university faculty who were given the responsibility of developing new versions of introductory level geography courses. The plan of the project involved bringing together college or university professors, local school…

Described is the development and evaluation of the Micro-Place Social Studies Curriculum, an instructional system for teaching economics and law concepts at the fifth grade level. The curriculum is based on a miniature market economy that requires students to provide food, clothing, and shelter cards for simulated families. Students own businesses…

Field testing of the American Indian Archaeology Project, designed for grades 5 through 8, revealed weaknesses in the quality with which the modules were implemented. The project offers supplementary materials, a resource guide, and teacher workshops for social studies or humanities teachers. Two aspects of the materials, feasibility and…

Middle-school social studies teachers (n=26) were observed to assess their use of reinforcement and corrections. Time-of-year effects showed a midyear deceleration of corrections, followed by an end-of-year increase. A midyear drop in reinforcement also was seen, with no year-end increase. Mainstreamed and low-ability students received greater…