Children are active watchers of the world as they learn to be a part of their community. Field trips are a key component in addressing the 10 themes of the social studies standards through experiential learning. The authors recognize that in today's tough economic times, field trips that require additional funding may not be possible for all…

To promote diverse learning strategies, teacher education programs should use their local environments. For example, students in elementary education methods courses at the University of Maryland spend one week in the Mall area of Washington, DC. They must use all the sources in the Mall to research specific problems. (RM)

This article, which was inspired by results obtained from the use of neighborhood resources as an integral part of children's school learning experiences, presents an approach to social studies for preschool and primary children. (RH)

Explains why conflict resolution is utilized in junior secondary schools in Botswana and discusses the role of the kgotla as a location for resolving problems in a community. Reviews methods for teaching conflict resolution presenting a scenario that enables the teacher and students to resolve a conflict in a social studies classroom. (CMK)

Science teacher Don Wertz and social studies teacher Larry Taulman grew up in Johnson County and lived next to Edinburg and Camp Atterbury when it was in operation. What became known as "The Atterbury Files" began when these two teachers started gathering information for a field trip to the old army base that had been active when they were…

A proactive individual can perceive, research, evaluate, and act upon a problem in a manner that is responsible to both himself and to the society. The development of proactive students requires changes in teacher training strategies. Teachers must behave as "directors" and not "dictators" of student learning, and curricula must be changed to…

The Young Historians project provides abundant opportunities for students in grades one through six to apply basic reading, writing, listening, speaking, and computing skills learned during reading and math and to learn firsthand about their own heritage and the many resources in their own community. (RM)

This paper asserts that interactive exhibits are more than just hands-on activities but utilize a range of techniques. The variety of techniques is explained with examples of various types of exhibits to involve the visitor in learning more about the exhibit. The paper presents several examples that strike a balance between educating in history…

When the author was in fifth grade, she and the other students took a field trip to a nursing home; each child had to interview an elderly person. She discusses the impact of the assignment on her life to illustrate the effectiveness of field trips and interviews as teaching methods. (RM)

The John Rolfe Museum and Historical Research Center in Richmond, Virginia, was established in 1982 to stimulate community knowledge and interest in regional heritage, provide a "real world" outlet for students pursuing historical research, and broaden students' perspectives about sources of knowledge and how to use them effectively. In…

A high school project growing out of efforts to involve students in a German-American tricentennial celebration and designed to make student-centered activities educationally meaningful to both social studies and German language students is described. The project had the following objectives: (1) to view, through an interdisciplinary approach, the…

Contends that public monuments and memorials provide excellent opportunities to teach historical geography and community studies. Illustrates this view with examples of monuments and memorials in the United States and other nations. Provides teaching strategies and a four-step process to use memorials and monuments in the classroom. (CFR)

During the 1963-64 school year, a secondary teacher from the rurally isolated area of Silverton, Colorado initiated an individualized program in problem solving for a senior social studies class (N=8-10). Utilizing community resources, the instructor planned several units on government, while the students selected resource materials from the…

Contends that barriers to effective education can be overcome by using the community as a living laboratory for social studies learning. Discusses out-of-school learning opportunities that meet four criteria: (1) goal relevance; (2) appropriate level of difficulty; (3) feasibility; and (4) cost effectiveness. (CFR)

School year 1980-81 completed the third year of operation for the Lohrville Career Education Model (LCEM) and the Toward Community Growth Project, a systematic attempt at exploring careers in Iowa and at inducing Iowa's youth to seek careers closer to home following high school graduation or completion of post-secondary education/training. The…