William W. WilenWith the right combination of sensitivity and knowhow, teachers can involve reticent students successfully in classroom discussions.57

Cyrisse JaffeeIt is hard to find the right resources for teaching about the Middle East, but a joint project by a Harvard University center and Boston’s PBS station will help.51

Social Education staffThis feature examines the composition and problems of Iraq’s Governing Council, along with a chronology of events affecting Iraq in 2003 and U.S. difficulties there.46

Choices Education Program, Watson Institute, Brown UniversityThis lesson plan places students at a crossroads where they consider which of four very divergent paths U.S. foreign policy should take in the future.40In Focus

Kahlil Chism, contributing author, and Lee Ann Potter, editorThe Order of Argument in Brown v. Board of Education is a short document, but it can launch students on a long voyage of understanding of this milestone case.31

James H. LandmanFifty years ago this May, the Supreme Court decision on the case of Brown v. Board of Education changed the course of American history. Here is the background to the judgment that outlawed segregation policies in public schools.26Teaching with Documents

C. Frederick RisingerPrimaries get less media coverage than presidential elections, but they are an important exercise in democracy. These websites will help classes follow the primaries in 2004.17Looking at the Law

Allan J. LichtmanThis system for predicting the winner of the popular vote in presidential elections has an outstanding track record—and it’s a great way to show students how many factors influence the way the nation votes.13Surfing the Net

Denee MattioliBeing a social studies teacher is a challenge, but we can and do make a difference.9