Reports the results of two sets of large-scale national studies on the effectiveness of television as a means of acquiring news information. Concludes that those who derive news information from television have less comprehension of events and issues reported than do those who obtain information from other sources. (SG)

Presents procedures for student-guided critical analyses of current topics in biology. (ZWH)

Outlines historical legislation affecting immigration to the United States, explains current laws and how they affect immigration, summarizes the process for obtaining citizenship, describes the experience of immigrants with the legal system, introduces the work of pro bono (free) legal services for immigrants, and presents related teaching…

Recommends a social studies activity that combines geography and history within a current events framework to make the curriculum more interesting and challenging to the students. Explains that students investigate natural disasters from around the world and determine the effect humans have on these "natural" occurrences. (CMK)

Many teachers advocate teaching students to deliberate on controversial political issues as a powerful way of preparing them for political participation. Support for this approach recently came from a Civic Mission of the Schools report, which endorsed including political controversies in the curriculum. Specifically, it recommends that schools:…

Chautauqua (1874-present) was founded in western New York state, USA. It developed into a centre for education, religion, arts and recreation. Examined here is the philosophy of its programmes: liberal education for adults, regardless of background. The backdrop for Chautauqua was the US tradition of popular self-improvement; local clienteles were…

Barbara Petzen began working as a part-time outreach coordinator at Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) a week before September 11, 2001. She was finishing her dissertation in Middle Eastern studies, specializing in the Ottoman Empire and Arab history, and thought it would be a good job to have while she completed her…

Each type of Web site can be easily located if teachers understand a few basics about the different types of information found on the Net. This article provides useful tips to science teachers on how to search the Web and where to find the following information: (1) Ready-Reference Sources (2) Current Events Sources; (3) Science Lesson Plans; (4)…

In more than 30 years of university teaching; hundreds of elementary, middle, and high school visits; and numerous personal interactions with community young people, the author has repeatedly noticed that few students read newspapers or news magazines. In short, most students seem ignorant of and uncaring about current affairs. This is an alarming…

Energy issues have moved up the public agenda in recent decades, and were highlighted in President Bush's State of the Union address when he declared, "America is addicted to oil...." and pledging to "replace more than 75 percent of oil imports from the Middle East by 2025." The author observes that oil dependence and energy independence will be…

This publication analyzes the reform movement in China before and after the Tiananmen Square demonstrations of 1989. In the aftermath of the cold war and because of recent mutual hostility, U.S.-Chinese relations are at a critical juncture. The events leading up to and encompassing the demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and the brutal manner in…

Since the end of the Cold War, those teaching about developing democracies in Central and Eastern Europe have taken on new responsibilities: dispelling cultural attitudes formed and taught during the Cold War, helping students to understand the concept of democracy, and analyzing the effects of these events on the world. This high school lesson…

The major goal of social studies education is to provide students with the skills and knowledge essential for effective participation in society. As a supplement to more traditional social studies material, newspapers can help students make the connection between the classroom and real life. The social studies activities suggested in this guide…

The major events and trends in U.S. teacher education which occurred during 1990 are summarized. The following topics are discussed: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); Holmes Group; Goodlad Teacher Education Study; Alternative Routes to Teaching; Regional Teacher Certification; Massachusetts' Fifth Year; National…

In one county in Maryland, less than one-third of the eligible citizens chose to participate in primary elections held in 1990. The response mirrored the rest of the nation. The participation of U.S. citizens in the policital process depends on the development of a social environment that stresses the transformation of all political subjects into…