Argues that topical units on cultural universals are well suited for introducing primary grade students to social studies, although the units need to be more powerful than those in leading textbooks. Notes a study supporting the feasibility of cultural universals units in first and second grade classrooms. Suggests guidelines for lesson plans,…

Summarizes 25 years of teaching research, highlighting changing implications and developmental continuities. Discusses process-outcome research, including school effects and teacher effects inquiry, and research on teaching for understanding and use of knowledge, meaning construction, subject matter teaching, indepth study of fewer topics, and…

This occasional paper views homework as an opportunity to exploit the potential of outside resources and environments to complement in-school learning opportunities. Out-of-school learning opportunities are considered in the context of principles for planning and implementing learning activities. These principles involve: (1) goal relevance,…