US History

By M. Scott Niederjohn and William C. Wood
Keynesian fiscal policy—out of fashion with economists and policymakers for decades—has enjoyed a revival under President Obama’s new economic policy team, but competing approaches also have their advocates.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/7302/730268.pdf

By James D. Gwartney and Joseph Connors
The current economic crisis is primarily a story about unintended consequences and what happens when the incentive structure is damaged by unsound institutions and policies.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/7302/730263.pdf

--Justin Reich and Thomas Daccord
(Subtitled: "Integrating Technology with Shneiderman’s Collect-Relate-Create-Donate Framework"). In this multiple day investigation of teenage homelessness during the Great Depression, students use a range of technologies—search engines, blogs, and podcasting tools—to investigate the political, economic, and social history of the time.   --> read more »

By Michael G. Lovorn
The featured lesson uses Woody Guthrie’s “Dust Storm Disaster” to study the Dust Bowl from the perspective of those most affected.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/7304/7304173.pdf

By Lee Ann Potter and Elizabeth K. Eder
A work of modern art humorously highlights the 52 words of the Preamble to the Constitution. A historical document shows, however, that these well known words underwent many changes before reaching their final form.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/7304/7304156.pdf

By Staci Anson
High school students in New Jersey practice artifact analysis and learn about soldier life in World War II when they interact with wartime relics, including medals, gas masks, ration coupons, and letters home.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/7304/7304165.pdf

--Daniel F. Rulii
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry—considered treasonous by some and heroic by others—helped strengthen the anti-slavery movement. Students can gain a deeper understanding of this event by studying General Lee's demand for Brown's surrender.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/6805/6805306.pdf

--Dwight R. Lee
We may never achieve perfectly free international trade, but the struggle to reduce existing trade restriction is a noble one.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/7302/730279

--Kathleen Owings Swan and Mark Hofer
Podcasts may be useful in the classroom, but teachers need to consider the instructional purpose and context within which they are used.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/se/7302/730295

The National History Education Clearing House has made available a database of state social studies and history standards, searchable by state and grade.

http://teachinghistory.org/teaching-materials/state-standards