General US History

--Mary E. Haas, Barbara Hatcher, and Cynthia Szymanski Sunal
Introducing young students to some of the main facets of a national election (past and present): What is an opinion survey? What is democracy? How do we learn about the candidates? Is the election fair? How are Votes cast and counted? What happens at a national debate? etc.   --> read more »

--Thomas Turner
This article focuses on teachers or students "creating their own lyrics" as a method of teaching about history--or any social studies topic.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/2101/210111.pdf

--Elizabeth Egan Henry
A thematic approach to the topic of immigration challenges fourth grade students to develop their skills as historians.

• http://members.ncss.org/yl/2003/200304.pdf

--Danielle Bell and Mary Beth Henning
Second grade students use primary and secondary sources to learn about local history. Students "grapple with" tough-to-read historical texts and open questions, and then prepare a presentation on what they've learned.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1903/190307.pdf

--Jackie Kofsky and Barb Morris
Lessons introduce K-3 students to key symbols of our country. (And see following Pullout.)

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1901/190116.pdf

A brief, illustrated introduction to the exhibits and website of this great, national collection and learning center.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1804/180431.pdf

--Margaret Golden
Fourth grade students critically compare the fictionalized account with various historical sources. In the 1615 English engraving, that Elizabethan collar on Pocahontas "probably hid tattooing."

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1804/180419.pdf

--Carol Carney Warren
Through the use of primary source materials, students can investigate the effects that dam construction on the Gila River has had on the lifestyle of the Pima Indians in central Arizona.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1804/pullout

--Carol Carney Warren
Websites and books provide ideas for sharing a different perspective on U.S. history.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1804/180415.pdf

--Pamela McFaden Lobb
Consider four categories when selecting materials about American Indians: Native Authors (use whenever possible); art and illustration (avoid stereotypes); language (ex. avoid "squaw"); and perspective (avoid glorifying one historical point of view).

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1804/180406.pdf