Explicates the fascinating origins (and conflicting versions thereof) for a number of well-known folk songs including, "Casey Jones,""John Henry,""Frankie and Johnny," and "Tom Dooley." Notes that source material on these and other songs is widely available through liner notes, folk song periodicals, and folklore journals. (MJP)

Summarizes the experience of Mexican and Hispanic women in the United States from the 1540 Coronado expedition to the present. Fascinating historical details (for example, the Spanish government subsidized petticoats and stockings for 16th- century women settlers) help to dispel many simplistic stereotypes. Includes brief profiles of Hispanic…

Fewer job opportunities, rising violence, and failing schools have all shaped the structure of opportunities for both youth and adults in urban communities. However, researchers understand very little about how these factors influence the capacity for adults in urban communities to form meaningful partnerships with youth. First, this article…

Analysis of the discourse in an informal interview with a 14-year-old, female, Australian high school student takes a feminist poststructuralist perspective, applying concepts from ethnomethodology. In the course of talking about her social world, the subject articulates two distinct discourses of adolescent femininity. As an observable…

Written by experts in the field of folklore for laymen, this three-part volume is intended to help teachers of English, social studies, mathematics and science, home economics, the arts, and other subject areas to become more knowledgeable about folklore and to inject this knowledge into their existing curricula. The first part, on introducing…

"Migrations" is a multi-ethnic, interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of ethnic heritage. Designed by the Teacher Center, Inc. (New Haven, Connecticut), the project is conceived on the principle that ethnic heritage can be a source of pride and unity for all members of a community. It provides an active link between the ethnicity of the…

Objectives, content, and scope of instruction for teaching social studies in the seventh grade are defined in this curriculum guide for New York City public schools. Learning activities, which reflect a variety of teaching techniques, are developed under five themes: (1) "Why People Moved to the New World," (2) "How Permanent Settlements were…

This paper examines the contradictory data of research studies on bilingual education from the viewpoint that such data will make sense only if we consider bilingual education as the result of societal factors rather than as the cause of certain behaviors in children. Schermerhorn's theoretical framework for research on ethnic relations (with the…

This packet, prepared to give support and guidance to independent schools striving to develop courses and design curricula in Afro-American studies, presents sampling course descriptions from seven selected schools on black studies intended for junior high and senior high students and offers two statements on black literature. The booklet is…

The history of Slavic immigration in America is traced and the characteristics that define Slavs as an ethnic group are identified. Focusing on the difficulties experienced by Slavs in melting into accepted American patterns, the paper records the rise in Slavic ethnic consciousness. Topics discussed are Slavic language, geographic concentration…

Presents a lesson plan for teaching the history of the southeastern United States from the time of the first Spanish explorations to the time of colonization. Includes preparatory activity for students, a shared reading, suggested questions for classroom discussion, and a session utilizing maps. Discusses decimation of the society and debate…

This book explores the nature of indigenous education, outlining key elements of American Indian perspectives on learning and teaching. It advocates developing a contemporary, culturally based, educational process founded upon traditional tribal values, orientations, and principles, while simultaneously using the most appropriate concepts,…

An anthropological perspective on the educative process is presented in the four parts of this book. Part 1, "An Anthropological Overview," suggests some of the many viewpoints from which anthropology says something about education. For instance, methodologically, anthropologists look at the whole context of a learning situation rather…

The primary purpose of this book is to present a synthetic account of the sociocultural system of the Spanish Americans in New Mexico. Historical as well as contemporary materials have been used to describe previously existing structures and to illustrate the processes of change. The background study consisted primarily of a systematic review of…

Pursuant to the Native land claims within Alaska, this compilation of background data and interpretive materials relevant to a fair resolution of the Alaska Native problem seeks to record data and information on the Native peoples; the land and resources of Alaska and their uses by the people in the past and present; land ownership; and future…