This article draws attention to the language used by fourth and fifth grade teachers during social studies instruction and discusses the implications of how this language frames non-dominant groups, as in this case. Via the discussion of segments of instructional conversations, the authors point to the pervasive use of language that perpetuates…

Media consolidation and convergence have increasingly changed the way individuals as both consumers and citizens access, process, and communicate information at the local, national, and global levels. Media industries and institutions influence public perception and occupy our time at work and at home more and more. Media literacy has become…

Traditional folktales constitute a social institution that reflects the value, customs, and lifestyles of the culture and are a natural way for students to explore the historical past, the belief systems of varied societies, and diverse factual information. A carefully selected folktale can be a powerful tool to bring culture to the foreign…

In order to beautify the school environment and further student learning, fourth-graders cultivated a Native Plant Learning Garden. They were responsible for designing a layout, researching garden elements, preparing the area, and planting a variety of native plants. By the completion of this inquiry-based project, students were able to clearly…

The author describes an ongoing National Endowment for the Humanities project that is devoted to building multiple competences by studying Rembrandt and seventeenth century Dutch culture. Its uniqueness consists in its designing of a state-of-the-art Web site that interrelates the humanities, social studies, visual arts, and technology. A major…

This study set out to better understand the changing links between geography and citizenship. Content analysis was conducted on eighteen high school world geography textbooks and state/national standards. Interviews were conducted with teachers and textbook authors. Five significant changes were noted: decline of national orientation and a greater…

This paper presents the findings from the third survey administration of a longitudinal study that explores the beliefs, practices, and efficacy of social studies faculty members from across the United States in terms of instructional technology use. The findings of this study demonstrate that familiarity with the "National Educational Technology…

Students today face a wide range of economic decisions. To be wise consumers, prudent savers, and knowledgeable investors, they need basic economic concepts and decision-making skills. To this end the National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) developed the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics (1997) for students in kindergarten…

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a large Arab, Muslim country in the Middle East. It has been an economic and political partner of the United States for many years. This unit, designed for elementary students, provides a text, questions, mapping skills, and fun activities. Students read about Saudi Arabia to gain insights and an appreciation of…

Suggests applications of the National Geography Standards to integrated elementary social-studies instruction. Explains why geographic education is essential, why standards are necessary, the six essential elements of the standards, and applications of each of these elements for social studies lessons. (DSK)

These dynamic literature-based activities will help teachers energize the entire social studies curriculum and implement national (and state) standards. The author presents hundreds of "hands-on, minds-on" projects that actively engage students in positive learning experiences. Each of the 62 units offers book summaries, social studies…

This paper discusses the technology position statement and guidelines drawn from the National Educational Technology Standards. This position paper and guidelines are grounded in the theory that content must come before technology. In other words, technology should be thought of in terms of its effect on the teaching and learning of social…

This text provides a solid theoretical base in social studies education at the secondary level. The text can be used as a basic methods textbook for teacher candidates or as a curriculum/instruction resource for practicing social studies teachers. The text focuses on instructional development; incorporates national standards through numerous…

The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) has proposed a set of social studies guidelines to direct the manner in which teachers function within classrooms. This paper questions not whether there should be standards, but which standards. The paper first discusses the quest for certitude, noting that a teacher is not a farmer who tends…

This guidebook, designed to assist colleges and universities to meet National Council for the Social Studies/National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education program standards, is one of three documents that deal with national standards for social studies teachers. The guidebook is intended to help colleges and universities assess the…