This book presents summaries and activities associated with 15 books to read with kindergarten through second graders that explore social issues central to their lives. Thematic topics include the give and take of friendship; bullies, pests, and teasing; isolation and reaching out across generations; families; and working together. It features…

Lists selected resources that help think about problems and issues and how they affect society in the areas of human health, social issues, and environmental issues. Includes Web sites, CD-ROMs and software, videos, books, magazines, and professional resources, with age levels and appropriate disciplines usually indicated. Suggests sample class…

This document provides elementary teachers with an annotated index according to (Houghton-Mifflin, 1976), followed by suggestions for activities related to the topics. Indexed topics, which comprise a major portion of the document, include basic energy information, society's dependence on energy, problems and advantages of energy alternatives, and…

Argues that literature-based social studies provide personal perspectives for examining essential social studies concepts and generalizations. Includes lesson sequences utilizing trade books to teach about poverty, hope, and involuntary relocation for primary, middle, and secondary school students. Briefly describes the books mentioned and…

The study of popular music can be an effective method of examining social and cultural life. Popular music emphasizes the variety of human existence, goals, outlooks, and biases. A pervading theme in popular American music between 1959 and 1984 has been the theme of "America." Over 200 songs reflect personal, social, and political concerns about…