—Tony R. Sanchez and Randy K. MillsTeachers can relate the excitement, paradox, and importance of American history to students by conveying the challenges of life in the past with stories.275

How ready are middle schoolers for intellectual challenge?

Recent Disney movies spotlighting intelligent female characters who work hard and do not define themselves in terms of men illustrate a major change from the formulaic fairy tales portraying female inferiority and dependency.

The Frank Reade dime novels reveal the strict, xenophobic, social class system of the late nineteenth century, while offering insight into the influence of technology.

The European Union's new guidelines on the right to have personal information removed from the Internet can be used to launch an enriching classroom debate about free speech versus privacy rights.

Students will comprehend the many factors that influence an election when they analyze why this successful prediction system forecasts a popular vote victory for the Democrats in 2008.

The author examines The Conspirator—a film about the trial of Mary Surratt and the plot to murder President Lincoln—and outlines four key questions to guide teachers when using historical film in the classroom.

The current divisive presidential election highlights the importance of teaching students the skills of constructive public discourse.

Exposing students to international issues such as the existence of child soldiers motivates them to become engaged as global citizens.