The Periodic Table of Elements is a valuable resource for chemists and all kinds of STEM professionals. However, it can be initially overwhelming and intimidating to some students. This hands-on lesson introduces abstract concepts in the periodic table through a tangible experience with simple toys and household objects. Students collaborate and…

The author was asked to develop a list of actions that teachers could take to build students' mathematics abilities. Too many students fail to graduate and fail to pass state assessments as a result of weak mathematics skills. Even many students who do graduate leave high school lacking sufficient understanding of mathematics to pass college…

Proposes an approach to vocabulary development that stresses the integral relationships between words; describes 20 categories of meaning that can be used as a basis for developmental vocabulary lessons; and offers suggestions for the application of these meaning categories in vocabulary instruction in various subject areas. (GT)

How secondary social studies teachers can teach concepts through the skills of categorizing and generalizing is discussed. (RM)

States that the shift in meaning of the Periodic Table to represent regularities in the electron distribution in the shells of atoms can result in confusion between elements and atoms. (DDR)

Notes that sorting is an early classification activity; as language develops, objects can be sorted by various attributes and described. Describes key experiences in this developmental sequence, and provides guidelines and specific suggestions for selecting for classroom use "attribute materials" designed to lead students to both…

Argues that the common assumption about the lack of intermediate forms in evolutionary history is inaccurate and misleading. Points out that there are many transitional forms, although special creationists refuse to recognize them as such. (DDR)

Described are activities using jar lids for sorting, classifying, and graphing; ordering; and measuring circumference and diameter. (MNS)

Techniques developed to address the reading problems of an adult English as a second language (ESL) class are described. An intensive English course was developed for a group of Arabic-speaking vocational education administrators who had several years of English training. However, they performed poorly on the lowest level of a reading series.…

This publication is a collection of 13 hands-on activities that focus on earth science-related activities and involve students in learning about growing crystals, tectonics, fossils, rock and minerals, modeling Ohio geology, geologic time, determining true north, and constructing scale-models of the Earth-moon system. Each activity contains…

A number of activities are suggested that represent the proper usage of a computer within a content area; namely, a way to further the student's understanding of the concepts being taught. (MP)

Recommends the use of beans as an inexpensive, durable, and readily available resource for developing science-process skills in K-8 students. Shares strategies for using beans in graphing, patterning, and classifying. (DDR)

The pamphlet examines the kinds of play that are useful in developing the basis for later abstract thinking--specifically the development of mathematical concepts. The mathematical concepts included are numbers, conservation, one-to-one correspondence, counting and sequencing, ordering, sorting and classification, sorting and sets, and equivalence…

Discussed is the idea that energy is the cause of change. This idea, going back to early cognitive development, means that the teaching of energy needs to confront how, thermodynamically, people can perform actions. The change in energy caused by differences is emphasized. (KR)

This teacher's guide is part of a program of activities that help secondary-level students develop the complex thinking skills needed to succeed in science. This program can be used with current curriculum materials. It is designed to help students integrate ideas and develop concepts that demonstrate higher level thinking. A rich environment of…