Summarizes the sometimes confusing and contradictory efforts of the John F. Kennedy administration to encourage the development of democratic political processes in Latin America. Although sincere, Kennedy's efforts often were stymied by resistance from the local power structure and his own Central Intelligence Agency. Eventually, anti-communist…

Traces the slow, incremental journey of President John F. Kennedy from a cautious supporter of civil rights to an ardent advocate. Until his June 11, 1963 televised presidential address, Kennedy's commitment to civil rights was weakened by his desire to avoid political conflict with southern democrats. (MJP)

Describes a high school U.S. history class that combines experiential learning with local history. The class models their historical inquiry after a fictional character in, "The Secret of Gumbo Grove," who uncovers her hometown's secrets. A class trip to the local cemetery provides opportunities for historical research. (MJP)

Describes a high school oral history project where the students investigated the culture, attitudes, and experiences embedded in the 1950s. The students discovered a harsh reality behind the popular nostalgia, a reality that included racism and sexism. Provides sample questions and quotes from the transcripts. (MJP)

Describes an undergraduate course that draws parallels between the immigrant and ethnic experience of the students with similar issues on a national scale. The students write papers exploring their ethnic heritage and, if possible, collect oral histories from other family members. This research complements the assigned readings. (MJP)

Outlines letter writing exercises for fifth grade social studies units on the U.S. Revolutionary War period. Students write letters as fictional and nonfictional historical characters from trade books described in article. Objectives include understanding viewpoints and historical events, writing to persuade, and share or seek information.…

Covers women's labor history in the United States and in industrialized nations from the early 1800s to the present. Provides primary source documents from New England workers in the 1830s and 1840s and from women workers on global assembly lines in the 1980s. Includes discussion questions. (LS)

Maintains that during World War II the nature of elementary social studies changed significantly. Concludes that, as a result of enhanced and broadened activity during the war years, elementary social studies emerged as an important curricular field. (CFR)

Examines the U.S. Supreme Court "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka" decision and its impact on education and national history. Includes 16 photographs representing various aspects of the history of public school desegregation. (CFR)

Presents a high school lesson plan illustrating the breadth and scope of German anti-Semitism before and during World War II. Includes four lists describing anti-Semitic and German Jewry laws. Includes student objectives, instructional procedures, and instructions for students. (CFR)

Presents a map of Europe identifying the location of major concentration camps, extermination camps, and massacre sites during World War II. Maintains that only a few of the over 400 sites in the former Soviet Union where entire Jewish villages were exterminated are shown. (CFR)

Reports on efforts to develop "Crossroads," a K-16 articulated, content-based, spiral curriculum in United States history. Discusses the historical framework underlying the curriculum. Presents the curriculum's 12-era chronology and 8 substantive themes. (CFR)

Presents a secondary school lesson plan to help students recognize the status of Native American religious rights in the United States. Includes a list of presentation topics for student research. Provides learning objectives, step-by-step teaching procedures, and three student handout masters. (CFR)

Describes the historical role and rationale of music education. Outlines the contribution of musical knowledge to the development of the individual and society. Concludes that, if music is to assume a central place in schools, a political philosophy of music education, including ideas of freedom, democracy, and social values, must be forged. (CFR)

Maintains that, while women and African Americans have often had common political interests, the alliance of their movements has not always been easy. Discusses the competing interests and racism that caused friction and estrangement among these groups between 1848-1920. Includes primary source selections. (CFR)