Describes a seventh-grade course on ethical inquiry to teach students to think critically, independently, logically, and ethically in dealing with social and historical issues. Indicates that discussion is the most powerful means for getting children to learn the basic prerequisites for reasoning to become alert and skillful thinkers. (TRS)

This resource book provides ideas, strategies, techniques, examples, and resources for organizing, implementing, sustaining, and assessing character education programs in K-12 schools. The text is organized into several topics: (1) historical and theoretical bases for character education; (2) a description of a comprehensive character education…

A rating device was used to assess the ability of four moral education textbooks used in Indonesia to engender a sense of patriotism in students. Results from the three-part rating form allow ranking of the books based on several standards and suggest means of supplementing the preferred textbook's value. (TJH)

Examines ethics in contemporary U.S. society. Argues that ethics is not merely what's enforceable, expedient, or excusable. Defines ethics as the moral strength to do what one knows is right, and not to do what one knows is wrong. Contends people cannot isolate the consequences of choosing their own ethical course. (DB)

Identifies five references helpful to educators wishing to incorporate moral and ethical values, particularly those involved with patriotism and citizenship, into the educational setting. Titles include "Kids and Citizenship: A National Survey"; "Character/Citizenship Education: A Pilot Study"; and "Basic Citizenship…

Presents activities in creativity for use in secondary social studies courses. The activities involve students in laying out alternatives for ethical decision-making, for accomplishing a task, or for problem solving. (RM)

Explores the issue of whether evil exists in the world and the best ways to confront it. Claims that the ubiquitousness of evil places a responsibility on social studies educators to address it in the classroom. Offers six suggestions for teaching students about the existence and implications of evil. (CMK)

States that unwarranted negative attitudes toward homosexuality need to be countered by dissemination of correct information and constructive discussion. Urges moral educators to guide people toward, and foster respect for, caring and committed relationships whether they be homosexual or heterosexual. (Author/GEA)

The goal of civic education should be to develop competent, responsible citizens whose words and actions uphold and enrich the constitutional democracy of the United States. Being a good citizen requires proper knowledge, skills, and dispositions. This forum offers five articles: (1) "Educating Responsible Citizens" (Ivor Pritchard;…

Keynote address at the LIASF Annual Conference on Law Focused Education, February 25 - 27, 1972, Chicago. Goals of law education in the schools are: (1) Learning moral reasoning or ethical analysis, (2) An appreciation of the legal process, and (3) Information about the law. Methods of instruction and achievement of desired goals are discussed.…

Presents a series of suggestions for ways in which teachers can best take on the responsibility of "moral education" within the confines of the daily curriculum, including specific suggestions for mathematics, science, English, social studies, and arts instruction. (JL)

The author criticizes values clarification techniques done without parental consent in non-elective courses because they invade privacy, lead to ethical relativism, and have the potential to damage children's ego-strength. (Author/AV)

U.S. Secretary of Education, William J. Bennett, expressed concerns about the condition of U.S. education in the areas of content, character, and choice. This document comprises the papers of 12 scholars on the public policy and the research implications of this theme. Three addresses were given on the issue of content by Russell Kirk, Thomas…

Bibliotherapy, the use of reading materials to examine one's personality, contributes to adjustment, growth, development, and remediation. Accordingly, social studies reading materials at both elementary and secondary levels have the potential for changing human behavior while transmitting knowledge, creating further interest among children in the…