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The Schools Council Project investigated current practices in teaching history, identified objectives and obstacles and carried out a program in trial schools based upon conclusions drawn from the investigation. An experimental framework for syllabus construction based first on the conceptual structure of history and second, on a taxonomy of educational objectives was abandoned in favor of a framework founded on "the uses of history for the adolescents." For example, units within the framework correspond to the specific uses of history (explain the present) and bear general relation to some of the other uses, (understand human development). Thus greater variety of content and ways of looking at history with an emphasis on inquiry in depth and the development of investigative skills were identified as educational objectives to be pursued in the implementation of the project. Since examinations were regarded by the teachers as of paramount priority, the Project suggested an examination program based on various methods of assessment which test historical skills as well as historical knowledge. The recommendations of the council will be carried out (September 1973) in trial schools. Teaching materials will be produced and tested. Case studies of the individual schools will operate as the mode of evaluation of the Program. (JRB)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert