This article describes research investigating mass media's influence on elementary-aged children's understanding of world cultures through the lens of serendipitous learning. The qualitative study explored the ideas children constructed about other countries, cultures, and people through their unmediated use of various media including movies,…

Africa is the cradle of civilization, yet its rich history and culture is undertaught--especially in elementary P-5 classrooms. In this article, we share Adinkra symbols from West Africa which can be used for interdisciplinary instruction and classroom management. We offer Adinkra symbols as an organizing theme for teaching in the spirit of not…

Given the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of the United States, an important part of citizenship education is helping children learn how to engage respectfully and dialogically with people whose beliefs and ways of life may differ significantly from their own. Such engagement is necessary for peaceful co-existence, as well as in the…

Holocaust education in the United States began as a grassroots movement during the 1970s. Today, more than 30 states mandate the teaching of the Holocaust; however, far less attention is given in schools to other 20th-century instances of genocide. Totten has suggested that by neglecting "other" genocides (e.g., Darfur, Rwanda, and…

With the realities of standards-based accountability, it is imperative to model and demonstrate for students how subject areas and teaching methods transcend across traditional boundaries. In an effort to prepare future social studies educators to teach for global awareness and to meaningfully integrate critical literacy skills into their…

This article discusses the role that teacher educators can play in helping their students develop a fuller understanding of world history. Trends such as globalization have led to calls for increased teaching about the diverse cultures and peoples of the world. However, prospective teachers' educational backgrounds have in most cases not…

Increasing diversity in the United States means that all students must understand multiple cultural perspectives and identities. Educators need to facilitate learning engagements that highlight the complexities of culture and cultural identity, going beyond surface characteristics such as foods, holidays, and clothing that are often the focus in…

Youths in the United States are less geographically and culturally literate than are youths in many other industrialized countries. In an time in which the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, it is pertinent that American youths study geography, evaluate stereotypes, and understand how individuals are perceived by others. The authors…

The purpose of this study was to describe a group of fifth grade students as they engaged in process drama during their social studies class. The author found that students who engaged in process drama learned to combine texts to understand and create new texts. As they became engaged in the material, students collaborated with each other and…

By reading literature about wars, secondary students can learn about the values of different cultures and societies. Teaching approaches are suggested, and specific titles are discussed. (RM)

Increasing the range and depth of experiences that children have with people and places that are dissimilar will enable them to more readily accept the differences in the world and will also help them develop sensitivity toward other human beings. (Author/JB)

Explains the significance of masks in ethnographic and cultural research and suggests 24 activities intended for use by social studies classroom teachers as they teach about masks. Activities include projecting slides onto students' bodies and faces, directing students to create masks from old clothing and rags, cutting faces from magazines, and…

Discusses ways of eliminating cultural, geographical, historical, and ideological misconceptions about the Soviet Union in secondary social studies classes. The author outlines four topics of study about the U.S.S.R. which he has found of interest to his students. (AM)

Presents a report of a community studies program in which high school students prepared an architectural and historical study of interesting and historic community buildings. Presents general information on how and why students should study buildings, including selecting a building, photographing the building and site, interviewing individuals who…