Hailed for its focus on values and educating future citizens, this text concentrates on the principle that children need to learn the basic information about the social sciences through constructivist inquiry. Subsequently, they need to learn how to think critically and make solid decisions about that information in order to become good citizens. The text stresses that humans will always face personal and social problems, and that all citizens should actively participate in the making of civic a nd public policy. Enables student teachers to create a classroom environment which fosters just that - civic interest and reflective decision- making.