Discusses how social history lessons fit with relative ease into secondary U.S. and European history courses. A sample lesson shows teachers how to use data on the history of childhood when teaching about the Enlightenment. (RM)

In this unit of study high school students read and discuss U.S. newspaper articles reporting the trial and execution of the French king Louis XVI. Students look for key words and phrases that might indicate a subtle favorable or unfavorable opinion. (RM)

Read-alouds boost listening and reading comprehension skills and bring subjects to life in a way that textbooks cannot. This article presents three literature-based social studies units, which offer some fresh choices to invigorate lessons. For each unit, a recently published novel is highlighted as a read-aloud or group reading selection and…

Prior to a curriculum unit on European exploration of the New World, a class of fifth grade U.S. history students stated what they knew (or thought was true) about the discovery of America and what they wanted to learn about it. After the unit, they reported what they had learned about the general topic of European exploration of North America. In…

Prior to a curriculum unit on Native Americans in a U.S. history course, three classes of fifth graders stated what they knew or believed they knew about these people and what they wanted to learn about them. After the unit, they reported what they had learned. In addition, a stratified sample of 10 students was interviewed concerning the details…

In 1780, a prize was established in France for the best answer to the question; "Was the discovery of America a blessing or a curse to mankind?" This question and its only response from an individual living in America, constitute the basis of a high school history class unit. The background of the question and the content are developed,…

This unit of study explores the experiences and the role of women during World War II. The unit can serve as an introduction or supplement to commonly taught topics such as Nazism in Germany, the Holocaust, the "home front," the USSR's Great Patriotic War, and the struggle between Nationalists and Communists in China. It begins with an…

Utilizes selections from 17th century philosophical writing as instructional material for a series of learning activities that reveal the influence of the material on early American democratic thought. Activities involve selections from Isaac Newton, John Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, The Declaration of Independence, and Bishop Bossuet. (MJP)

REQUIRED AND ELECTIVE SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES FOR GRADES 10 THROUGH 12 ARE LISTED AND DESCRIBED TO ENABLE TEACHERS TO GAIN A BROAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENTIRE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM. THE TEACHER SHOULD DEVELOP ENTHUSIASM, RETAIN RESPECT FOR SCHOLARSHIP, AND INTERPRET THE PRINCIPLES AND CONTENT OF EACH SUBJECT AREA. EACH COURSE…

Intended for college-preparatory students at the high school level, this unit investigates the changing tides in U.S.-Soviet diplomatic relations and the reasons for the change. The focus of the unit is on a series of particular episodes such as the questions of famine relief in the 1920's, diplomatic recognition in the 1930's, World War II, the…

This eight-day unit is designed for use in social studies and science classes at the secondary and community college levels as a general introduction to the technical, organizational, legal, and ethical issues related to war. While this unit is not meant to serve as a complete history of war and warfare, it supplements the discussion of war by…

This ethnic heritage unit is about Lithuanians in the United States. The first section presents basic facts, such as a map of Lithuania, map of Eastern Europe, facts about Lithuania, principal dates in Lithuanian history, Lithuanian historical figures, bibliography about Lithuanians, and a list of Lithuanian organizations in the United States. The…

This ethnic heritage unit is about Ukrainians in the United States. The first section presents basic facts, such as a map of Ukraine, map of Eastern Europe, facts about Ukraine, principal dates in Ukrainian history, ten outstanding figures in modern Ukrainian history, milestones of Ukrainian communities in the United States, bibliography about…

This course of study is a continuation of the sequential United States History program. It incorporates themes, merged with chronology as a method of structure, for the period from 1865 to the present: 1) Economic and Social Forces in American Studies; 2) Reform Movements; 3) The United States in a World Setting; 4) Causes of War; 5) Labor; and an…

Part of the Ethnic Heritage in America curriculum materials, this unit is about Greeks in the United States. The first section presents basic facts, such as a map of Greece, map of Eastern Europe, facts about Greece, historical chronological outline, list of Greeks in U.S. history, bibliography about Greeks, Greek publications in the United…