This article describes how the author teaches 8th graders to imagine the experiences of people from another time in history and make connections to today. Through a role play, the author teaches the hidden story of Japanese Latin Americans during WWII. The role play engages students in exploration of a little-known piece of history--the…

This set of social studies resource materials was designed to help Oklahoma teachers supplement or replace curriculum used for kindergarten through sixth grade. Each of the seven sections in the document presents a topic for an elementary grade: Myself, Kindergarten; My Group, Grade 1; My Neighborhood, Grade 2; My City, Grade 3; My State, Grade 4;…

Argues that the challenge of making history vibrant for students is one of placing their concerns at the center of the conversation. Describes a unit that uses a nonfiction book about plagues to help students to understand how historians think, and to use the past to better understand their present. (DSK)

This 4-day supplementary curriculum unit is designed for use in social studies classes at the upper secondary (9-12) and community college levels. The curriculum unit seeks to explore the roots of contemporary relations between the United State and Soviet Union through an examination of how that relationship evolved from the 18th century to the…

This article describes a story of two fourth-grade teachers' journey to create lessons that would be developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and historically accurate in teaching children about Columbus's encounter with Native Americans. The aim of this four-week unit of study was to have fourth-grade students look at multiple…

Presents a lesson for secondary Asian studies, U.S., or world history classes comparing U.S. and Chinese concepts of individual freedom. Students study and write essays on U.S. court cases concerning privacy. They discuss two articles about Chinese concepts of self and privacy and the role of Chinese study groups in resolving disputes. (AM)

Five "rock music as history" teaching units, each revolving around a particular socio-political theme, are presented. The themes are civil authorities, military involvements, the public education system, railroads, and representative government. (RM)

Describes a project to produce classroom materials for world and U.S. history based on primary source documents. Recommends departing from textbooks to penetrate particular historical problems through the units described. Suggests that such projects teach students the complexity of history, encourage active learning, and display a variety of…

Teacher-developed law-related education lessons that can be integrated into secondary school world history and U.S. history courses are provided. The first of two major sections contains law lessons for world history. Lessons are varied and deal with topics such as sources of the law, laws in early civilizations (Rome, Greece, and Egypt), the Code…

Discusses ways in which social studies teachers can introduce a futures perspective into traditional courses. Explains how to identify futures concepts in a world history course, introduce a futures unit in U.S. history, use community resources in a government course, focus on approaches to futures issues in economics, and apply basic skills to…

Suggests that the story of humanity can be presented as human groups solving the basic problems of human existence throughout time. Contends that delineating this basic theme of history can present students with a coherent view of history. Links the individual's story to the broader view and presents a teaching unit that conceptualizes this…

This unit of study uses encounters between Japan and the West from earliest contact (16th century) to the present as a case study to help secondary students explore issues of cultural contact. The activities are appropriate for United States or world history courses as well as English, psychology, or sociology classes. The unit can be completed…

This curriculum outline, designed for use in U.S. history, world history, or English courses, presents information about Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust. Part 1 provides a rationale for teaching about this subject, while part 2 presents an outline of historical information from 1887 to 1934 concerning Hitler's life and the rise of the Nazi Party.…

Created for use with motivated learners (meaning all those who enjoy the adventure and challenge of learning) as well as for gifted and talented upper elementary and junior high children, the 15 student research projects in this book were designed to teach children in these grades how to become independent learners; hence they emphasize the use of…

Materials in this curriculum guide for a seventh grade social studies course focus on the development of the monarchy period in Hawaii's history. Following a course outline, 10 study units cover map skills, early historical background, and the reigns of the following kings and queens: Kamehameha, Liholiho, Kauikeaouli, Alexander Liholiho, Lot,…