Presents results of a study of whether simulation leads to improved understanding of economic concepts among fifth grade students. Reports that simulations were used in instructing 300 children in 10 classes in the southeastern United States. Concludes that the use of simulations and role-playing activities increased student performance in…

To determine the effect of early political instruction, a series of basic political concepts were introduced to primary grade children. Using one class of second and one class of fourth graders as control groups and one class of second and another class of fourth graders as experimental groups, a unit of civic instruction was taught during the…

This interactive curriculum has been developed to teach students about one of their most important rights as citizens, trial by jury. Knowledge about this right is critical since most of today's students will be called to serve on juries at some point in their lives. The curriculum's goal is to help students understand the history and value of…

Demonstrates a thematic approach, using soup as the theme, to integrate and correlate elementary social studies with other subject areas. Outlines four soup activities, presenting goals, materials, strategies, and extensions of each. Stresses how integrated curricula effectively develops skills such as observing, inferring, serial ordering, and…

The guide outlines concepts central to the process of governance at local, state, and national levels. It is intended for use by junior high school social studies teachers as they develop and implement educational programs to help students understand governmental structure and functions and to develop skills in evaluating government strategies and…