Uses the children's book, "The Rajah's Rice: A Mathematical Folktale from India," as the basis for grade-four activities involving doubling and powers of two. (MKR)

Presents results of a project examining the effects of writing to learn in elementary social studies. Explains that the research explored journal writing activities as a means of improving social studies achievement, writing fluency, and communication. Concludes that journal writing does increase writing fluency and learning retention. (DK)

In this lesson, each fourth-grade student is asked to choose a famous person who was born in his/her state, research the person's contributions to history, write a monologue, and then perform the monologue using a costume and/or a prop. The lesson offers an overview; suggests lesson length and grade level; lists subjects and subtopics; cites…

Presents an Italian study of children assigned to write two persuasive appeals for funds. Reports that improvement on the second request was related to request features demonstrated between the two assignments. Concludes that training did have some effect, but both control and experimental groups improved in their second performances. (DK)

Describes a project in which grade-four students read a historical novel and wrote essays as historical characters. College-level education students also read the novel and replied to the elementary students. Concludes that the project helped students achieve preestablished instructional goals. (CFR)

Profiles a third-/fourth-grade thematic unit developed to introduce students to contemporary global society and its economic and environmental interdependence. The unit simulates a trip to foreign countries and integrates mathematics, music, art, and language. Various assignments are included in the student's portfolio. (MJP)