States that in order for students to learn about non-Western history, the role of the history teacher must change from the person who provides information to students to the person who helps students locate information. Explains that the Internet should be embraced as a tool for teaching students about non-Western history. (CMK)

Criticizes the trend in social studies education, led by Diane Ravitch, towards the revival of teaching history in a traditional manner. Claims that Ravitch's rationale for history's decline is faulty, ignoring the problems resulting from teaching history chronologically. Suggests that using the problem-centered approach will make history more…

Recommends including geography in history instruction. Suggests that the theme of time is implicit in the five fundamental geographical themes of location, place, relationships within places, movement, and regions. Observes that maps enable students to visualize historic events. Concludes that geography can help students connect past and present.…

Describes the California Assessment Program's (CAP) group performance assessment task. Provides a sample task field test in world history, including written and culminating exercises. Suggests that such assessment exercises are popular with students and provide the teacher with an amalgam of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. (DK)

Asserts that the Nobel Peace Prize provides a gateway for teaching the critical issue of peace in history courses. Presents an overview of the origin, development, and history of the Nobel Peace Prize, with special focus on U.S. winners. Includes six suggested student projects and a list of U.S. Nobel Peace Prize winners. (CFR)

Urges an approach to the teaching of history that takes the largest possible perspective, crossing time as well as space. Discusses the problems and advantages of such an approach. Describes a course on "big" history that begins with time, creation myths, and astronomy, and moves on to paleontology and evolution. (DK)

Presents a National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) position paper on Christopher Columbus' influence upon the Americas. Suggests that educators should help students comprehend the contemporary relevance of 1492. Examines such topics as the roles of Africa and Asia in the age of exploration and the realities of the pre-Columbian Americas.…

The purpose of this literature review and Ex Post Facto descriptive study was to determine which type of benchmark assessment, multiple-choice or project-based, provides the best indication of general success on the history portion of the CST (California Standards Tests). The result of the study indicates that although the project-based benchmark…

This document presents a curriculum plan for social studies for each grade from kindergarten through high school. Each unit is designed to utilize community resources in teaching students a global approach. Three possible approaches to using resources are suggested: (1) to introduce a unit of study, to focus students' attention on planned…

This Manitoba (Canada) curriculum guide includes the grade 8 overview, unit overviews and topics, focusing questions, specific objectives, and outline maps needed for the course. The teaching of the identified objectives is mandatory in Manitoba. Manitoba curriculum guides are produced in three different formats referred to as Level I, II, or III.…

This essay focuses on the ability of the political cartoon to enhance history instruction. A trend in recent years is for social studies teachers to use these graphics to enhance instruction. Cartoons have the ability to: (1) empower teachers to demonstrate excellence during lessons; (2) prepare students for standardized tests containing cartoon…

In recounting the sensational national controversy regarding the recent proposed National History Standards, the book explores three related themes that provided background for the controversy. The volume examines the blossoming of historical research, writing, and teaching of history in the 20th century with more diverse, more methodologically…

The 6th century of the Byzantine Empire, dominated by the emperor Justinian (527-565 C.E.), is the focus of this unit of lessons designed for grades 7-12. Justinian's contributions to world history in various fields are examined. Noting that not all scholars are in agreement as to when Byzantine history began, the unit places its origins either at…

The voyage of Columbus in 1492 is a turning point in world history. After 1492, people and civilizations of long-separated regions began to develop connections that have led to the incipient global community of the 1990s. It is their global significance that justifies a prominent place in today's curriculum for the four voyages of Columbus to the…

This curriculum guide to world history studies and honors world history studies in Fort Worth (Texas) schools contains the following materials: a statement of philosophy and broad goals for each content area; objectives organized around broad content goals or strands that define specific expectations for students, prekindergarten through grade 12;…