Unlike units and themes in the early childhood and primary curriculum, projects are defined as children's in-depth investigations of various topics--ideally, topics worthy of the children's time and energy. As increasing numbers of teachers and school districts incorporate project work into their curriculum, questions have been raised about what…

An antibias curriculum seeks to nurture children's potential by addressing issues of diversity and equity in the classroom. Goals of antibias curricula are to foster children's self-identity, interaction with people from diverse backgrounds, critical thinking about bias, and ability to stand up for themselves in the face of bias. The first phase…

This brief report summarizes a longer document with the same title. It reviews literature on the importance of using active learning teaching techniques in the classroom, describes what active learning is, discusses how this technique can be incorporated into the classroom and identifies barriers to the use of this approach. Strategies that…

This digest presents a technique and activities for using Spanish language ads and public service announcements in the Spanish foreign language classroom. The technique has been used successfully with students in the Galveston-Houston, Texas area. Segments of the scripts of one announcement and one commercial advertisement are provided, as well as…

Storytelling, a creative art form with a long history and considerable instructional potential, is increasingly regarded in schools and communities as literature. Recent papers and articles in the ERIC database discuss the use of storytelling in the classroom to develop language abilities, literature appreciation, critical thinking and…

Recent studies suggest that the involvement of parents and teachers with young children provides natural opportunities for modeling and nurturing positive cultural attitudes. Strategies that support children's multicultural learning within a context of family involvement are of three types. The first of these is parent education and support.…

A well-planned class camping trip is a learning adventure which develops personal values, generates lifelong learning skills, encourages group cooperation, and enhances knowledge of and appreciation for natural environments. This digest is a guide to help teachers offer this unique learning opportunity to their students. Separate sections present…

This digest presents ideas for teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in foreign countries where textbooks or other traditional instructional materials are limited or unavailable. The activities discussed emphasize student participation, require creativity, and encourage students to enjoy learning English. Four particular activities used by…

This Digest recounts the varied experiences, for both elementary school students and teachers, of producing a classroom newspaper. In the particular instance discussed in the Digest, for the students, it was a chance to collaborate with their peers, to pursue their own special interests, and to see their work published. For the teacher-adviser, it…

When computers are relegated to a single room in a school where children use them only occasionally, their potential impact on children's learning is minimized. When computers are integrated into the curriculum and are applied to real problems, however, children gain the ability to use computers as natural tools for learning. For example, when a…

The essence of a healthy democracy is open dialogue about issues of public concern. An integral part of the training of young citizens, therefore, includes the discussion of controversial social, political, and economic policies. The use of classroom discussions as a pedagogical technique to examine controversial issues is explored by considering:…

Recent levels of naturalization have reached record highs. Since 1950, most applicants must meet strict English literacy and civics requirements. An Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) examiner evaluates the applicant's knowledge of U. S. history and government, administers a short written dictation, and conducts an oral interview.…