Tom Morain introduces this issue by reviewing the current political environment surrounding discussions about Iowa history in the curriculum. He identifies the curricular options and presents a clear and concise defense for teaching state history.
Scott Raecker focuses on the relationship between citizenship and state history as he reviews the importance of character development and service learning in the schools.
Elise Fillpott provides an inside-the-classroom look at one of the Teaching American History grant projects as she describes the kind of hands-on history teaching that elementary instructors in the schools of Washington, Iowa have come to embrace.
Galin Berrier provides as solid argument for inclusion of Iowa history into the classrooms of secondary teachers. He illustrates the point with examples drawn from his experience teaching about the Underground Railroad and Iowa's place in its development.
Curtis Nielsen introduces the reader to the newly developed website Iowa History Online. Structured around ten key questions, Nielsen reviews the contents of the site as he describes the growing body of online resources available to teachers throughout the state.
Donny Brazile focuses on the power music can play in helping students construct a historical narrative from the inside out. He defines folk music as primary historical sources and identifies how folk songs can be used to motivate students to learn history.