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The article presents a suggested course of study in the teaching of constructive work in history among school children in the U.S. In the selection of the material for work in history, teachers must consider certain prominent interests at the different periods of growth which need their own expression in action. Therefore, the phases of the past which show these interests expressed most simply and completely are best adapted for the study. The difficulties experienced by the children in attempts at self-government may be then shown, as those met by people of the past and overcome in various ways with various results.

The article presents information related to the selection of material in history for primary grades. There are some conditions for the selection of material in history. The first condition is that the school shall be organized for work. The second condition is that there has to be a close relationship between occupations and the subjects of the old curriculum. Still, there is a tendency among most of the teachers to look upon the geography and the history, the science and the number as the regular studies. They do not use the occupations as the center and vital part of the course and fail to take advantage of the impulse that the occupations give to the learning of the other subjects. In the earliest years, much time should be given to hand-work and dramatization because this is the time when the demand for expression in objective ways is especially strong. More historic material in the teaching can be used by the teachers when they gain in power to think of conditions beyond the reach of their observation. But throughout the primary grades each phase of the work should include facts of history which can easily be related to the experiences of the children.

The article focuses on the responsibility of the American Historical Association for the teaching of history at all levels in American educational institutions in the U.S. The American Historical Association has established a Service Center for Teachers of History. The author points out that the Service Center will prepare and supervise the preparation of various types of pamphlets to aid secondary teachers. One of the function of the Center will be to facilitate cooperation between teachers of history at all levels.

The article discusses the concept of training history teachers. Teacher-education institutions have the responsibility to prepare teachers who are equipped to handle local historical materials. Teachers were required to attend seminar in the social studies with emphasis on local materials. They must also see to it that students are exposed to the practice of using local materials to illustrate and make more meaningful. Institutions working on the graduate level have their role in increasing the effectiveness of the teaching of local history.

The article cites major trends in the selection of content and the method of teaching history in the elementary school in the U.S. from 1899 through 1934. There is a natural increase of emphasis on the use of visual aids in teaching history. A study of articles treating the social sciences would probably show emphasis on the development of social attitudes, on problem-solving, and on the contribution of historical materials to an understanding of the social order.

Considers the possible impact of the World War I on the subject-matter and methods of teaching history. Importance of addressing the necessity of wider conceptions of history according to the pamphlet "Opportunities for History Teachers," issued by the U.S. Bureau of Education; Resolutions concerning the teaching of history submitted by the National State Teachers' Association.

The article reports on the absence of any textbook in history that has been able to include great amount of material that is invaluable in making history interesting, real and concrete. Teachers had to add the interesting and valuable side-lights to the history they were teaching. Worth-while historical side-light material has appeared which children themselves can read.