This paper presents findings from a study of high school students (N = 165) engaged in discussions of controversial political issues within Close Up Washington's civic education program. We report findings from pre- and post surveys to investigate how the group's views about the issues were affected by the discussion strategy they experienced. We…

While the use of primary sources in education has long been an object of interest, their adoption is still lacking in social studies courses in Turkey. This work presents the results of a qualitative study conducted with the participation of 37 students and a social studies teacher with the aim to reveal seventh-grade students' and teachers'…

Drawing on a three-year multimethod study of civic engagement within "Dewey Elementary," this article identifies the contextual supports of civic efficacy. In particular, it works to map the role of the teacher in supporting the civic action and efficacy of six fifth-grade girls who requested changes to the school's existing lunch plan.…

In an attempt to motivate students learning a social studies unit on the Middle Ages, elementary teachers developed cooperative planning lessons and then combined groups to culminate the unit with a medieval fair. (Author/RK)

Social studies peer work groups (PWGs) in fifth grade classrooms were more frequent than math PWGs and involved a broader variety of student behaviors and cognitive levels. The majority of social studies groups were cooperative in both task and reward structures. For both subjects, student involvement was highest in cooperatively task-structured…

The "We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution" program is an instructional program on the history and principles of U.S. constitutional democracy for elementary, middle, and high school students. The program is based on curricular materials developed by the Center for Civic Education. At the high school level, classes may choose…

Discusses the rationale for cooperative learning and examines the teacher's role in creating groups. Provides examples of cooperative learning experiences in an integrated unit and as applied to computer education. Lists the advantages of using cooperative learning, while noting its pitfalls. Cautions that cooperative learning should be used in…

Addresses the problem of lack of student motivation in an introductory course on U.S. politics. Describes a course centered around a small group project that requires students to gain government action on a group proposal. Presents project format. Discusses student successes and failures. Includes suggestions for course implementation. (RW)

Using a sociological conceptualization of curriculum implementation, this study looked at the relationship between implementation and learning outcomes. The specific curriculum examined was a complex math-science curriculum for language minority students in grades 2-4. The study looked particularly at the effect on learning outcomes of allowing…

This book begins with a short overview describing the four basic strategies in a research and theoretical base. The second chapter focuses on the three components of learning seen as universal to all lessons. These elements, "factual knowledge", "skill development", and "conceptual knowledge", remain in focus throughout the rest of the book. The…

Presents a fictitious dialogue among four high-school students involved in a cooperative learning group. Analyzes student interaction, the role of content, and academically gifted students in relation to cooperative learning techniques. Concludes that the use of cooperative learning techniques will increase. (CFR)

A junior high school geography class in La Palma, California, offers extensive field trip experiences to teach students methods of historical-geographical research. Resulting from a course that develops research methods in social studies, a club was formed that provides overnight excursions in various field activities. The club is open to 9th and…

Presents a narrative case study based on the use of cooperative learning in a 10th-grade global studies class. Focuses on ethnic groups and emerging issues related to national sovereignty. Describes student participation in group discussions about these topics. (CFR)

Details the educational objectives achieved by an 8th grade U.S. history class using a cooperative learning research model. Using the Group Investigation Model, the class learned to use text headings, subheads, and key words in their reading. They also became familiar with synthesizing information and linking key ideas. (MJP)