Describes a special language arts/social studies unit inspired by students' response to a Channel One newscast about starving Somalians. Letter-writing and fund-raising activities helped these middle-level students make closer connections with the world, construct powerful meanings around their own concerns and those of society, integrate self and…

Reviews concepts of aging, and questions models of the relationship between education, work, and leisure in light of profound changes in life cycles. Contrasts the "training-work-retirement" model with the transformation of paid work and new scenarios for leaving the labor market. Discusses the demand for continuing education of aging populations.…

Discusses consequences of European unification in the Federal Republic of Germany. Focuses on the relationships between the European Community, the federal government of Germany, and the German states. Suggests that the German states are aware of their responsibility to give education and culture a European dimension. (NL)

Urges emphasis on the economic and political aspects of geography to help students understand the relevance of geography in contemporary world situations. Presents activities to guide students into a study of developing countries. Focuses on population growth, distribution and movement, options for growing poor populations, and causes of uneven…

Observes that the humanities first came under attack immediately after their development in ancient Athens. Describes the fifth-century Sophists who developed an education designed for democracy. Urges support of the humanities today as a training in free citizenship, speech, and thought. Warns that technology cannot solve the problems facing…

Reports on the work of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Describes three technical projects that encourage environmentally sound industrial development in 160 nations. Provides information for teachers to obtain instructional resources on this topic. (CFR)

Considers issues involved in the Korean War. Examines who was responsible for the war's onset, Soviet and Chinese involvement in North Korea's plan for war, the reasons why the United States and China entered the war, the effects on the rapprochement between the United States and China, and longer-term implications. (CMK)

Describes a mock judicial proceeding that incorporated computers in the classroom and questioned international law. Explains that students were divided into interested parties in the Kosovo conflict (NATO members, the Yugoslavian government, Kosovo Albanians, Russians, and Chinese), a delegation of human-rights groups, and a panel of judges. (CMK)

Proposes a new role for middle school teachers in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. This role involves reexamination of curriculum content in world cultures, geography, history, and comparative religions to give students a fuller idea of their place in the world and the concepts of justice and fairness as practiced in the…

Maintains that the high poverty levels in the United States implies that the goals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) have not yet transformed the reality of U.S. citizens. Describes the national campaign called "Economic Human Rights: The Time Has Come!" that combats the violations of basic human rights like poverty.…

When faced with real-world problems, students devise accurate, logical, and creative solutions using skills connecting to different subject areas. Students are intrigued by assignments involving preservation of species and design of environmentally friendly products and transit systems. Problem-based learning depends on coaching, modeling, and…

Students value participation in meaningful research. They feel empowered when they effect positive change in their communities. They also have a strong affinity for frogs and toads, although they vehemently deny this at the start of the school year. In addition, most students recognize the value of using computer technology to solve world…

Air pollution is no longer just a local issue; it is a global problem. The atmosphere is a very dynamic system. Pollution not only changes in chemical composition after it is emitted, but also is transported on local and global air systems hundreds and even thousands of miles away. Some of the pollutants that are major health concerns are not even…

This paper addresses how fear and hate have had an impact on the ways in which people and nations behave. A study of World War II reveals to people the terrible consequences of fear and hate. After this long war ended, many hoped that the United Nations would put an end to warfare and the acts that had nourished hatred. Using the theme of "Fear…

These materials explore the decisions that face the United States as a result of the changes in the past decade in the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The background readings allow students to examine such questions of values and foreign policy as: (1) Should the United States remain committed to its Western European…