Suggestions to help teachers organize small groups within the elementary classroom setting are provided, and group task roles and group maintenance roles are examined. Four small-group activities dealing with the American cowboy are described; for example, groups are asked to write a poem about the American cowboy. (RM)

Discusses use and development of case studies for instruction in the decision-making process. Suggests that discussion of a case should focus on questions concerning clarification of issues, exploration of events, evaluation of issues, and implications and application of findings. (KC)

Case studies which can be used in secondary social studies classes to teach students about the rights of persons with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities are presented. Examples of questions which can be used to stimulate discussion of the case studies are also included. (RM)

Presents an activity to involve student and community groups in the complexities of desegregation planning and to stimulate among participants the desire for additional data on a variety of desegregation questions. The activity is based on an imaginary city under court order to desegregate. (Author)

Through the use of case studies, the classroom teacher can integrate environmental history into the social studies course, emphasizing the historical nature of environmental problems. Students can then apply the resulting knowledge, sensitivity, and awareness to developing attitudes and strengthening concerns for present and future ecological…

Recommends the case study approach in consumer economics education and suggests case study formats, including court cases, open ended episodes, vignettes, narratives, interpretive essays, and cases based on documents. Guidelines for developing case studies are also offered. (Author/DB)

A suggested teaching strategy to teach about civil liberties is the fictional case study approach. Several examples are included to show how students can readily identify with and come to grips with issues and characters created for classroom use. (JR)

Presents the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion) method used to analyze and judge legal cases. Stresses this method's applicability for social studies instruction, stating it helps students assess facts and apply rules to reach and defend conclusions. Provides examples for using the IRAC method in U.S. government and U.S. history units.…