New 'History Connections' Resource Books from ABC-CLIO Use Presidential Election, Summer 2008 Olympics to Make History Relevant and Real for Student

Santa Barbara, Calif. (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- With a riveting presidential election and a historic first-ever Olympics in China, 2008 promises to be an exciting year in U.S. and world history. Now history teachers can take advantage of the teachable moments presented by these monumental events with two new resource books from ABC-CLIO (http://www.abc-clio.com). Developed by leading historians and educators, "History Connections: The Presidential Election" and "History Connections: The Olympics" (http://www.abc-clio.com/products/browseseries.aspx?seriesid=446) offer teachers complete classroom-ready thematic units for engaging students in thinking critically about the context and content of the historical events that are unfolding in their own lives.

As opponents of the Chinese government and advocates for more autonomy for Tibet use the relay of the Olympic torch from Greece to Beijing as a rallying point for their protests, students and teachers can use ABC-CLIO's resource book to explore other times in history when the Olympics have blended sports and politics, resulting in boycotts and other international incidents. Or they can compare other controversy-ridden presidential elections to this year's down-to-the-wire race for the Democratic nomination between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

"When current events are used as a jumping-off point for studying history, teachers can provide students with context for events of the past and help them see history as real and relevant," said Becky Snyder, president, ABC-CLIO. "We developed these two topical resource books to give teachers a tool for using today's teachable moments to make powerful connections between the past and the way it has shaped the exciting events that are unfolding in our world."

"History Connections: The Presidential Election" (http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=110560) helps students explore the entire electoral process from the role of "likeability" in a candidate's political success to the race for the nomination. Middle school and high school teachers can use the complete lesson and activity guide to integrate the 2008 presidential election into social studies courses, taking advantage of the attention that this history-making political contest is receiving. Using the book's activities and lesson plans, teachers can engage students in learning about the historical, political, cultural and economic issues that affect presidential elections in four major subject areas: the voters, getting the nomination, the general election and the role of the media."

Before the torch arrives in Beijing this August or after the gold medals have all been awarded, "History Connections: The Olympics" (http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=110520) will help teachers set the historical context of the Olympics for their students. The resource book provides middle and high school teachers with a complete lesson and activity guide for integrating discussions of the Summer 2008 Olympic Games into any social studies class. From the first Olympics games in 776 B.C. to modern day athletes and events, this resource book maps to sixth- to 12th-grade history curricula, with units such as ancient history, modern world history, American history, American government and economics.

Both resource books include reproducible scholarly essays and primary source materials, five comprehensive thematic units, more than 70 engaging activities and visual timelines of events through history.

Free sample activities from the resource books are available at www.abc-clio.com/historyconnections2. Through a special introductory offer available until June 30, 2008, teachers can save 35 percent by ordering both books for $49.99. Individual copies are $39 each.

To order the "Historical Connections" resource books or for more information, visit www.abc-clio.com or call 800-368-6868.

About ABC-CLIO

ABC-CLIO provides history teachers and students with authoritative reference information and teacher resources that help students hone the skills of history inquiry and inquiry-based discussion as they master historical content and develop a deeper understanding of history's major themes and lessons. ABC-CLIO's award-winning subscription databases provide a comprehensive collection of references, curriculum and current events that together simplify historical research and help students make sense of world events as they unfold. A premier history publisher for more than 50 years, ABC-CLIO is based in Santa Barbara, Calif. For more information or a list of available titles, visit www.abc-clio.com.

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