Social Education October 2013

Social Education October 2013

Volume:77

Num:5

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Editor's Notebook

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Preserving the Memories of World War II: An Intergenerational Interview Project

By James A. Percoco

High school students participating in a unique video project have interviewed hundreds of World War II veterans and recorded their poignant memories for generations to come.

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Mud, Blood, and Bullet Holes: Teaching History with War Letters

By Andrew Carroll

From handwritten letters of the American Revolution to typed emails from Iraq and Afghanistan, correspondence from U.S. troops offers students deep insight into the specific conflicts and experiences of soldiers.

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Learning about World War II at the D-Day Beaches of Normandy

By Lynne M. O'Hara

Students and teachers participating in a national competition travel to Normandy, France, as part of a World War II research project to gain a profound understanding of D-Day and the soldiers' experiences of the war.

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Shelby County v. Holder: What it Means for the Voting Rights Act

By Steven D. Schwinn

A study of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act can fuel a stimulating classroom discussion on the civil rights movement and its legacy.

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Teaching about Water Shortage as a Source of Conflict and War Using the Internet

By C. Frederick Risinger

The selected websites provide content, lesson plans, and teaching strategies for exploring the implications of Earth's diminishing water resources.

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Introduction to the Special Section on AP Social Studies

By Walter R. Herscher

This collection of articles reviews the growth of Advanced Placement programs and offers valuable advice on teaching AP social studies.

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Back to the Future: Merit or Equity in AP Social Studies?

By Robert Stevens

In this time of budget constraints, will school districts choose merit or equity when making their decisions about student participation in AP courses?

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Building Reading, Writing, and Analysis in the AP U.S. History Classroom

By Stephen Heller and Jason Stacy

A deeper understanding of the writing process gives students greater insight into the ways in which history is shaped by the historians who write it.

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Ten Things to Consider When Teaching AP U.S. History

By Andrea S. Libresco

These recommendations for creativity, higher-order thinking, and meaningful learning activities will guide teachers in constructing an engaging AP course.

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The Promise of AP World History

By Cristobal T. Saldana

The study of world history offers a unique opportunity to increase students' understanding of different perspectives, as well as their critical reading, writing, and thinking skills.

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Structuring the AP Art History Course

By Walter R. Herscher

With careful preparation, history teachers can lead a successful AP Art History course that familiarizes students with key works and guides them in analyzing context and historical framework.

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Foundations for College and Beyond: Looking Back on AP Art History

By Laurel Schoenbohm

A former AP Art History student reflects on the knowledge she gained of art and human history.

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Two Successful Approaches to Teaching AP Government

By Brian Ladd and Heidi Stepp

The authors engage students in civic education by offering the choice of either a combined AP Government and AP Macroeconomics yearlong course or a one-semester We the People course.

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AP Human Geography and Success on the AP Test

By John Roncone and Nate Newhalfen

Classroom projects that explore culture and globalization enhance the curriculum and help students see how geography directly connects to their lives.

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Preparing Students for the AP Economics Exams

By Sally Meek and Amanda Ashmead

The key to success in AP Economics is to teach students to understand economics, rather than to memorize rules.

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Preparing Students for the AP Psychology Exam

By Kristin Whitlock

These ideas will help teachers prepare students for the challenge of AP Psychology and for success on the AP exam.

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Building an AP Social Studies Program with Non-Traditional AP Students

By Amanda Ashmead and Sue Blanchette

The suggestions in this article can guide teachers in building a thriving AP program that will provide at-risk students with critical tools for success.