This document reviews the literature about the variety of instructional methods to teach social studies concepts. Divided into five parts, part 1 investigates current curriculum goals in social studies. Part 2 examines the literature on the use of textbooks and stategies in social studies instruction. Part 3 explores the use of textbooks supplemented with literature. Part 4 addresses literature-based social studies instruction. Part 5 probes the studies on achievement and attitude of students on the use of literature and textbooks in social studies. The summary suggests that the primary objective of the social studies curriculum is to prepare students for active citizenship, but that a variety of strategies are used to reach that goal. Contains 31 references. (EH)