Provided is an annotated listing of filmstrips and videocassettes or 16mm films which can be used in elementary and secondary social studies classes. (RM)

This guide and its accompanying videotape are designed to provide students with an overview of the nations of the Pacific region. Three activities emphasize a different aspect of East-West contact: geography, history, and economics. Each activity uses student handouts and can be completed in one to three class periods. Activities include: (1)…

This guide and its accompanying videotape are designed to provide students with an overview of how Japan has become the second richest nation on earth, despite its small size and limited natural resources. Three activities emphasize key issues in the U.S.-Japanese relations, especially issues related to trade. Each activity uses student handouts…

CNN Newsroom is a daily 15-minute commercial-free news program specifically produced for classroom use and provided free to participating schools. These guides are designed to accompany the program broadcasts for May 1-29, 1998. Top stories include: effects of a labor strike on Denmark's economy (May 1); the new currency of the European Union, the…

This book helps students make essential connections between economics and civics/government by asking the philosophical questions of government's role in the economy and the relationship between economic freedom and political freedom. The set of lessons include: (1) "How Has the Constitution Shaped the Economic System in the United States?"; (2)…

This reference volume provides information on gun control and gun rights, including resources on the debate surrounding the Second Amendment and individuals and organizations focused on gun issues, along with statutes, court cases, events, and publications surrounding this current topic. Highlighted are the important organizations and their…

This social studies curriculum guide broadly examines the relationships between the media and the military during wartime. It is divided into three units and includes 25 activities. The first unit, "Media and Conflict," begins with an examination of the historical context of the U.S. press and media and international conflicts. The…

Identifies hindsight bias as the tendency to exaggerate one's ability to have foreseen the outcome of an event after learning the outcome. Describes a class project where students predicted the verdict of the O. J. Simpson trial one week before the verdict and hypothesized a jury response a month later. (MJP)

Presents low cost ways that elementary teachers can develop classroom and school museums. Using objects and documents to record and display community events and traditions can help foster commitments to civic institutions and positive social values. Recommends creating wall murals, life ropes (personal event chronology), wall newspapers, and…

Reports findings of a study examining the opinions and awareness level of South African, Israeli, and United States undergraduates about conflicts in either the Middle East or South Africa. Finds religious and racial characteristics determining differences in knowledge level and political support. Reveals South African Blacks and U.S. students…

Suggests that, when real issues and problems are used as themes, student motivation and interest are significantly enhanced. Recommends using issue orientation to empower students to become problem solvers. Provides examples of projects used successfully in middle schools on the issue of smokers' versus nonsmokers' rights. (NL)

Answers critics of the 1916 Social Studies Report. Stresses its continuity with earlier more widely favored curricular reports. Discusses the influence of James Harvey Robinson's new history with its focus on the whole of society rather than just political and military events. Urges a continuing synthesis of history and the social sciences. (DK)

Reports results of a 1991 survey of high school students to determine whether student opinions about good citizenship had changed since a 1987 study. Reports that students perceived good citizenship as the ability to make wise decisions and be concerned for others. Concludes that students consider responsibility, ability to question, and moral…

Recommends classroom activities and student projects designed to foster an interest in the news. Argues that student participation in active news gathering and interpretation will enable them to recognize news bias and emotional appeal. Suggests production of a newspaper, a newscast, an editorial, and assembly of a news review comparing news from…

Asserts that preparing students to be rational decision makers in a democracy and productive participants in the economy are major goals of education. Argues social studies education must provide opportunities for analysis and decision making related to current major issues. Identifies the National Issues Forum in the Classroom program as an…