Young children's self-identification and self-identity are essentially a set of conscious and unconscious beliefs built from experiences. Students' self-image, and their understanding of society, can change when they research how women contributed to our nation and to our daily lives. Such lessons can render these historical figures accessible and…

Purpose: This study investigated the political aspects of 1st- to 4th-grade social studies education in Norwegian primary schools through qualitative interviews with 30 social studies teachers. The research examined how and to what extent politics is in focus in initial social studies education using the pre-political perspective as a theoretical…

Formal civic education that seeks to develop young people's appreciation and competence for active participation in their communities is critically important, and we should continue to advocate for its inclusion. Learning to live together--in community with diverse others--has always required far more than formal civic education curriculum has…

Many scholars and practitioners have asserted the value of opportunities for young children to participate in projects that inspire positive civic engagement. A National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Position statement stresses civic engagement as an important focus for powerful and purposeful learning in elementary social studies. The…

In our complex, interdependent world, it is critical that educators prepare students for global citizenship. One way to develop students' awareness and understanding of the world is through global literature. Through exposure to this type of literature, students gain multiple perspectives and learn about the social, political, and moral conditions…

Through an analysis of activities called for in social studies texts at three grade levels, the author critically examines the links between children's improvisational performance and social studies curricula. He asks: What is unique about the process of embodying a historical or contemporary character as part of the learning process (such as a…

In this article, the authors describe a lesson that helps elementary students build a sense of citizenship and moral consciousness about justice. Children participated in the struggle for civil and voting rights in Selma and in other places in the South during the 1960s. Initially, it was children's literature that sparked these third grade…

Asserts that, although active citizenship is heralded as the goal of social studies, few textbook studies have attempted to define or examine civic participation. Reports on a study of the treatment of citizenship in four widely used third-grade textbooks. Finds that, although the texts are largely supportive of mainstream political values, they…

This unit is designed around a four-week plan integrated into third- and fourth-grade science, social studies, language arts, reading, and art. The unit takes students through specific strategies of creating awareness about issues and to help them become more responsible about pet care, personally and in the community. Each week has a theme,…

Integrating concepts of basic citzenship education with community involvement, this experiential curriculum provides a means for developing decision making and critical thinking skills within the existing third grade social studies curriculum. The 10 lessons cover school rules as personal safety measures, consequences of not knowing rules, rules…

Integrating concepts of basic citizenship education with community involvement, this experiential curriculum provides a means for developing decision making and critical thinking skills within the existing third grade social studies curriculum. The 10 lessons, translated into Spanish, cover school rules as personal safety measures, consequences of…

Demonstrates teaching citizenship through student involvement in current issues. Presents We-Search--a process using the whole-language approach for group research projects in a Fairbanks, Alaska, third grade class. Highlights class projects, including one concerning transportation of plutonium across international borders. Emphasizes how…

Emphasis in this third-grade component of a teacher-developed K-eighth grade program on crime resistance is on responsibility for personal behavior. Major objectives of the program are to help teachers promote and maintain positive student attitudes and behavior, assist students in meeting their responsibilities, and help students insure their own…

Reports efforts to investigate use of LOGO as mapping aid. While finding LOGO motivational, the authors conclude (1) children did not transfer skills from computer to other situations, (2) younger students appeared to be too young to benefit from the qualities of LOGO, and (3) claims of mental relationship between the graphics cursor and the…

A six week study determined whether carefully chosen children's literature, as an ancillary component to the social studies curriculum, is more beneficial to students than teaching strictly from the social studies textbook. The study's null hypothesis states there is no difference between using the textbook and supplemental children's literature…