Recognizes and discusses the special place that small business occupies, not only in American history, but also in American thought and culture. Examines the various conflicts between big and small business. Notes that the division of territory, products, and services between the two is largely defined by economies of scale. (MJP)

Outlines an introductory unit in which secondary students use an anthropological perspective to investigate how and why the automobile changed U.S. culture. Instructional materials include a video series, pictorial histories, daily procedures, learning activities, and suggestions for assessment. (MJP)

Describes teaching methods used to prepare students for conducting oral history interviews. Fishbowl interviews consist of a behavior-modeling exercise where the teacher interviews a guest in front of the class. Examines other instructional techniques such as role playing and paired interviewing. (MJP)

Presents a series of lesson plans and learning activities using discipline based art education principles to focus on four works by African American artists. The artists featured are Joshua Johnson, Horace Pippin, Alma Thomas, and Tom Miller. Includes a representative color plate of each artist's work. (MJP)

Examines the personal views, research methods, and writing strategies of an author who specializes in books on labor history aimed at the young adult market. Discusses some of the work that went into biographies of Mother Jones, Rosie the Riveter, and Frances Perkins. Recommends an increased focus on labor history. (MJP)

This article traces historical attempts to form a comprehensive child mental health policy in the United States and discusses the latest unsuccessful attempts at the creation of such a policy through the managed behavioral healthcare revolution and the Child and Adolescent Service System Program and Child Mental Health Services initiative.…

Traces changing concepts of what constituted useful knowledge, especially as revealed in journals, in the United States from 1776 to 1840. Identifies a widening knowledge gap--corresponding with industrialization--between increasingly elitist, specialized learned societies and mechanics/farmers. Argues that as science grew more professionalized,…

Uses microfilm copies of the 1880 and 1900 census records which tallied information about Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family to teach about using census data. Suggests activities that develop vocabulary skills, teach document analysis, utilize map skills, and require research and synthesis skills. (LS)

Expounds on the importance of teaching the interrelationships among science, technology, and society (STS). Addresses the problem of what can be done to infuse STS into the social studies curriculum. Provides bibliographic entries, including resources from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) useful to educators in developing and…

Discusses issues related to ethical instruction in relation to cultural pluralism. Asserts that increased understanding may serve to intensify differences and that toleration may slide into indifference. Provides a background for teaching about cultural differences and concludes that it is possible to be moral and multicultural at the same time.…

Contends that anyone teaching the history of the American Revolution today faces the challenge of including the role of women. Asserts that historians continue to debate whether the changes in women's role and status were necessary or incidental outcomes of the Revolution. (CFR)

Discusses difficulties in teaching about the Columbian quincentenary. Suggests ways to approach the subject with sensitivity, such as focusing on Columbus the individual or as a part of western European effort to understand the world. Addresses intercultural contact, women's history, world history, and pre-Columbian American culture. Lists…

This article explores the many facets of the contemporary family in the United States, including their variations in structure, size, and ethnic and linguistic characteristics; the impact of sociohistorical factors on family functioning and lifestyle; implications of models of child development; and policy recommendations. (JDD)

Describes a year-long elective film course in modern U.S. history for twelfth grade students. Explains course methodology and objectives. Analyzes selected films to illustrate how the course elucidates the consensus-conflict theme in U.S. history since the 1930s and enhances student understanding of Hollywood's perspective on gender, race, and…

Contends that the end of slavery, women's suffrage, and the civil rights movement were watershed events of social justice in U.S. history. Provides reviews of two media-based sets of instructional materials that can help students understand the struggle by disenfranchised groups to become full participants in society. (CFR)