This general social studies course for grades 7-9 is an introduction to urban life: its history, the attraction of the city, its growth, advantages and problems. The condition of cities in America today is examined for the purpose of understanding the causes of their present condition and the steps that can be taken to save them. The goal of the…

The curriculum overview, intended for secondary teachers, describes the general objectives, methodology, and units of the Wingspread project. Goals of the project are to prepare individuals to function in a complex society; to promote academic and social development through personal and direct involvement with problems in a metropolitan society;…

Documents history of Lowell, Massachusetts, from the careful planning of town, the recruitment of farm family daughters into the labor force, the demise of the town, and Lowell's subsequent regeneration as a high technology center in the 1970s and 1980s. Suggests that the study of this town's history can illuminate the study of current U.S. urban…

Describes how a walking tour of New York City gives students firsthand exposure to urban history. Suggests that history can be recreated with walking tours through areas of historical significance, combining them with classroom lectures. Gives tips for planning successful tours and suggestions for making historical periods come alive. (NL)

Analyzes the literature of two groups of urban historians. Contends the focus has changed from pre-1960 when the quantitative group, rooted in Marxist theory, studied nonelites in working places. Observes many historians use a variety of approaches to their analysis of cities' social and cultural problems. (NL)

Forty-one activities are suggested for middle or junior high school students to perform while visiting a city street. The activities make use of skills in mathematics, language arts, social studies, and environmental studies. A pencil and a copy of this workbook are essential; other materials required by some of the activities are a tape measure,…

The Sampler is designed to stimulate teachers, parents, students, and groups to look at various types of open spaces and facilities as resources for environmental study. Written for use with children, but adaptable to older groups, the Sampler tries to engage the feelings as well as intellects of its users in the process of inquiry. It locates…

A student program to combat chronic absenteeism, suspension, and behavior problems was implemented in September, 1972, at Memorial Junior High School in San Diego. The major aim of the program is to develop a small school environment to foster the growth of the whole student. Objectives focus on helping students develop a positive attitude toward…

This book, designed to supplement and enrich the standard secondary curriculum, educates students in the area of feelings, values, and group interaction. Students learn particular logical and psychological processes with which to gain greater conscious control over themselves, their inter-personal relations, and their environment. A theoretical…

This 44th yearbook of the National Council for the Social Studies offers the elementary and secondary classroom teacher practical ideas on how to teach United States history. Intended to help teachers apply theory and objectives in the classroom, the book consists of specific class-tested lessons which focus on how a study of the American past…

In February, 1971, the Milwaukee Public Schools approved the establishment of "Urban Studies" as a one year elective social studies course. A program Improvement Proposal (PIP) was then formulated to solve implementation problems for this program, stressing use of the city as a learning laboratory. Objectives of the proposal were that teachers in…

The report presents a collection of articles on constitutional issues from a 1976 social studies conference. It is intended to be used by teachers in planning and implementing curriculum materials on development of the U.S. Constitution. The booklet is divided into eight articles. The first article discusses interpretive problems in the formation…

The Grimwood Memorial Lecture discusses priorities for environmental education, Toronto's two outdoor education facilities, four areas in which students relate to the environment (knowledge, enjoyment, aesthetics, encounter), international environmental concerns, local/urban environmental studies, field studies in urban Toronto, urban studies…

Designed for use with sixth grade students, this multidisciplinary unit combines independent study of urban areas with activities to develop students' higher level thinking skills. Following suggestions to teachers on strategies for introducing the unit, four options for independent study are described. The first is a study of a topic related to…

Designed for 7th- and 8th-grade students, five lessons using a block of houses in an urban neighborhood help students learn about the history of a neighborhood, the owners of the houses, and the style and architectural features of the homes. Although this unit has been developed for a specific neighborhood, a similar block study could be conducted…