Social Education March 2007

Editor's Notebook 

High School

History Matters: An Institutional Approach Examination of the U.S. Constitution 
Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, Mark C. Schug
Studying the evolution of the Constitution can help young people appreciate how choices made by their ancestors continue to impact our economy today. High School US History

Why Did the Colonists Fight When They Were Safe, Prosperous, and Free? 
Mark C. Schug
When historical events are framed as mysteries, students gain fresh insights into U.S. history topics, including the American Revolution. High School US History

The Founding Entrepreneurs: America's Prosperity 
Gerald Gunderson
The entrepreneurs who spurred America's exceptional development offer students a model of what can be accomplished when individuals identify problems and seek productive solutions. High School US History, Economics

What Caused the Great Depression? 
Jean Caldwell, Timothy G. O'Driscoll
A review of the three major schools of thought on the causes of the Great Depression provides deeper understanding of both the history of the Depression and basic principles of economics. High School US History, Economics

Lesson Whatdunnit? The Great Depression Mystery 
National Council on Economic Education
This simulation activity offers clues to why the American economy went from unprecedented prosperity in the 1920s to unprecedented misery in the 1930s. High School Economics, US History

Lesson The U.S. Constitution: Rules of the Game National Council on Economic Education 

High School Economics, US History

Cool Websites and Other Technology Resources for Teaching about the United States Economy 
Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, Joseph Calhoun
Electronic resources can be extremely effective in teaching economics. In this article, the authors highlight exemplary sites that foster economic understanding. High School Economics

Looking at the Law Seeking Good CreditAnd Keeping It 
Katie Fraser
Teaching Activities by James H. Landman High School Law-Related, Economics

Teaching with Documents
Eyewitness Account of Dr. Robert King Stone, President Lincoln's Family Physician 
Stacey Bredhoff
Teaching Activities by Lee Ann Potter High School US History

Ford: Not a Lincoln but a Hayes? A Lesson in History and Political Science 
John A. Donnangelo
What makes a president successful? This article evaluates the presidency of Gerald Ford in the light of four theories by political scientists on presidential performance, highlighting one of them. High School US History