Prior to and during the Civil War, the North and the South differed greatly in the resources they could use. Documents held by the National Archives can aid in understanding the factors that influenced the eventual outcome of the War Between the States. After Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, the South seceded because they believed…

Presents a lesson plan that enables students to learn how to analyze primary sources, while they also learn why the United States entered into World War I. States that this lesson can be used as an introduction to World War I. Includes handouts that feature primary materials. (CMK)

Maintains that the development of national standards provides resources for social studies curriculum development. Discusses the theme of continuity and change and asserts that elementary students can understand chronology. Provides a bibliographic essay and a list of nine recommended children's books and six teacher resources. (CFR)

Provides an overview of projects developed for preservice teacher education in Iowa that used the Iowa Communications Network and a Star Schools grant to train preservice faculty in distance education techniques. Highlights include praxis, self-evaluation, interactive video, science experiences for students with disabilities, and national…

Maintains that local school districts will soon be confronted with the task of implementing national standards in geography, history, civics, and government. Asserts that the geography community needs strong partners among teachers' unions and other educational organizations. (CFR)

Asserts that to establish standards-based education in K-12 geography, educators must develop strong instructional materials; train teachers to use those materials; and ensure adoption of the materials by providing curricular guidance. Maintains that alternatives to traditional content and instruction must be used. (CFR)

Asserts that the national geography standards must be relevant to everyone associated with educational reform. Argues that the special advantage enjoyed by geography during the Reagan-Bush administrations is slipping away. Suggests that one way for geography to demonstrate its relevance is to strengthen its ties with environmental education. (CFR)

Asserts that elementary students should learn economics to prepare for their adult roles as consumers, producers, and voters. Discusses the "Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics" that consist of 20 standards and the respective benchmarks that describe the concepts students need to know by the end of grades 4, 8, and 12. (CMK)

The Exceptional Athlete Matters (World T.E.A.M.) Sports (WTS) brings individuals together to undertake unique athletic events throughout the world to encourage, promote, and develop opportunities in sports for people, with and without disabilities. This classroom program on character education provides teachers with lesson plans on three themes…

Developing financial fitness requires developing a knowledge base and then applying it. This teacher guide and student workouts package contains 15 lessons from students at grades 3-5, divided into 4 theme areas of earning and income, saving, spending and borrowing, and managing money. The development of knowledge for use in the everyday life of…

During World War II, a close friendship and excellent working relations developed between President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) and Prime Minister Winston Churchill that were crucial in the establishment of a unified effort to deal with the Axis powers. In early 1941, FDR began the long-term correspondence that developed into a close working…

Maintains that the multiage primary school approach is rapidly gaining advocates across the nation. Asserts that the thematic approach used in the National Council for the Social Studies national standards provides a structure for this curriculum schema. Discusses teachers' concerns about curriculum change and strengths of the nongraded primary…

This teacher's guide correlates with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television series "In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great" hosted by historian Michael Wood. The four episodes of the series are entitled: "Son of God"; "Lord of Asia"; "Across the Hindu Kush"; and "To the Ends of the…

"Teaching with Historic Places" is a program administered by the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places that identifies ways teachers can share the stories that historic places have to tell. The program creates classroom-ready educational materials based on properties that are listed in the National Register of…

The Water in Africa Project was realized over a 2-year period by a team of Peace Corps volunteers, World Wise Schools (WWS) classroom teachers, and WWS staff members. As part of an expanded, detailed design, resources were collected from over 90 volunteers serving in African countries, photos and stories were prepared, and standards-based learning…