This volume, one in a series resulting from Project SPAN (Social Studies/Social Science Education: Priorities, Practices, and Needs), reviews and analyzes the current state of K-12 social studies. A major purpose of the review and analysis was to form a basis for recommendations for future directions that might be taken to improve social studies. The report contains six sections. The first section provides a broad and integrative analysis of the interrelated topics of rationales, definitions, approaches, goals, and objectives of social studies. The second section, "Curriculum Organization in Social Studies," describes the typical pattern of social studies programs from kindergarten through grade 12, stating that despite numerous variations that have occurred, the dominant pattern throughout the nation is one that was established more than 60 years ago. "Social Studies Curriculum Materials," the third section of the volume, describes the great extent to which students, teachers, administrators, and the public accept and rely on curriculum materials as essential aids to teaching, learning, and classroom management. Foremost among curriculum materials being used are textbooks. The topic of the fourth section is "Social Studies Teachers." There is general agreement that the teacher is "the central figure," the "key," or "the magic ingredient" in the learning process. The fifth section, "Instructional Practices in Social Studies," presents a detailed report on what teachers do. The last section, "Barriers to Change in Social Studies," focusing on the fact that the new social studies had relatively little impact on the schools, explores reasons for lack of change in schools. (Author/RM)

This sourcebook contains more than twelve hundred easy-to-follow and implement classroom activities created and tested by veteran teachers from all over the country. The activities are arranged by grade level and are keyed to the revised National History Standards, so they can easily be matched to comparable state history standards. This volume offers teachers a treasury of ideas for bringing history alive in grades 5?12, carrying students far beyond their textbooks on active-learning voyages into the past while still meeting required learning content. It also incorporates the History Thinking Skills from the revised National History Standards as well as annotated lists of general and era-specific resources that will help teachers enrich their classes with CD-ROMs, audio-visual material, primary sources, art and music, and various print materials. Grades 5?12

Johnson sees the school experience as inculcating children of widely different backgrounds with a common set of myths, rituals, and values important to the continuity of our national culture. He describes how, in ordinary classroom life, the children are conditioned to look after themselves rather than others, to rank the worth of others by race and sex, to separate work and play, and to consume rather than produce--lessons often different from the stated curriculum. Originally published in 1985. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Just as society has changed dramatically over the last century, so have the social sciences. This valuable reference chronicles the historical development of social studies as a discipline in elementary and secondary schools. It also assesses the current state of teaching and research in the social sciences and history at the pre-college level, and it charts new directions for the future of social studies in secondary and elementary schools. By tracing the historical development of social studies, the reference indicates how social studies has constantly been redefined to meet the changing needs and expectations of society. At the same time, the historical context provided by the authors sheds new light on the current state of social studies in the curriculum and the development of social studies in the future. The book begins with introductory chapters that overview themes and issues common to all areas of history and the social sciences. The chapters that follow summarize and assess the developments and trends of particular fields commonly thought to constitute social studies. The volume concludes with chapters on broad topics, including the place of religion in the social studies curriculum, the role of writing in history and the social sciences, and the professional training of social studies teachers. Each chapter begins with a section of reflections on the development of the discipline, followed by a section on current issues and trends, followed by a final section of projections for the future of the discipline. The result is a comprehensive overview of the past, present, and future of social studies in elementary and secondary schools and an indispensable reference for educators, historians, and social scientists.