Identifies the resources available through the National Archives, including: learning packages providing primary source documents for use by students; columns in "Social Education," which reproduce one document, offer historical background, and suggest learning activities; and summer workshops on instructional uses of primary sources.…

Presents a bibliographic essay surveying research and literature on the United States Supreme Court. Divides literature on the Court into six categories: (1) constitutional interpretation; (2) general and period histories; (3) biographies; (4) case studies; (5) judicial process; and (6) reference works. Includes a four-page bibliography. (DSK)

Outlines the history of the doctrine of judicial review, which makes the Supreme Court the final arbiter in questions of constitutional interpretation. Discusses debates over the structure and role of the judiciary at the Constitutional Convention, the impact of Chief Justice John Marshall, and distinctive features of 20th-century judicial…

This circular provides information about reading materials in large type, i.e., materials set in type that is a minimum size of 14-point and, most commonly, 16- to 18-point size. Most of the materials listed are typeset, but a few are photographically enlarged conventionally printed books or typewritten materials prepared using a large-print…

This digest discusses: (1) the main ideas contained in "The Federalist Papers"; (2) reasons for teaching "The Federalist Papers" in secondary schools; and (3) how to teach ideas of "The Federalist Papers." The authors of "The Federalist" held varying ideas about government, but strongly agreed on the…

Materials and resources to aid teachers in the instructional process on the U.S. Constitution are annotated in this document. The 50 listings include: (1) teaching materials; (2) periodicals; (3) audio-visual materials; and (4) background books. Each of the annotations includes: (1) a citation; (2) a description of the item; and (3) source…

The views of the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on freedom of electronic information are contained in this speech transcript. The speech opens with a warning that government regulation of the electronic media is expanding and extending in a dangerous way, posing the possibility that one day this regulation will be extended to the…

Social studies educators live and teach in the middle of an information revolution as the Internet becomes an integral part of education. The rate of Internet use in the classroom has risen dramatically. From 1994 through 1998, the percentage of public schools with Internet connections jumped from 35 percent to 89 percent. This Digest summarizes…

This school-wide classroom guide presents both historical background on the U.S. Constitution and examples of project models and ideas to promote learning its history. Additional resource materials--films/video/television, organizations, books--and people to contact for additional resource information are listed. (MBR)

Provides a brief overview of historical and legal scholarship on gun control and the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Limits its scope to works by acknowledged legal and historical scholars, avoiding contemporary pro- and anti-gun-control opinion pieces. Includes a bibliography of further resources for teachers. (DSK)

This guide provides analyses of curriculum materials that have been designed for teaching about the U.S. Constitution and law-related education. The guide begins with an editor's introduction and two essays, "Constitution Study and Civic Education" (James B. Giese) and "Thinking about Law-Related Education during the…

Examines the impact of slavery and racism on the U.S. Constitution at its creation, at its centennial, and now. Explores the way Black U.S. citizens view the Constitution in relation to legitimized slavery. Provides a reading list in Black history and a glossary of civil rights terms. (GEA)