Illustrates how Harry Passow's views on curriculum and talent development are similar to those of Howard Gardner and how both theorists' views were used to develop a student-centered curriculum planning model. Describes how the model creates a stimulating learning environment to nurture students' talents. (Author/CR)

A proposal for curriculum criticism contains three characteristics: (1) Criticism provides a view of curricula from the perspective of the student; (2) Criticism provides an assessment from the viewpoint of the critic; and (3) Criticism reveals the common interactions of students with facets of the curricula. (JN)

Addresses the development of different curriculums and approaches to implementing Montessori programs at the middle school level, including a humanities-centered approach, interdisciplinary minicourses, master-apprentice programs, and team teaching approaches. Maintains that Montessori middle schools must move beyond the experimental stage and…

Classified according to the roles played by children and teachers, curriculum models for early childhood education fall into four general categories: (1) structured/programed; (2) open/interaction; (3) child-centered; and (4) eclectic. Methods and objectives of each approach are discussed. (PP)

Curriculum development efforts for English instruction over the past 20 years are reviewed, and an "inside-outside" approach that uses the structure of the discipline, or its inner core, to guide curriculum development is suggested. Three principles--metaphoric thinking, writing as reconstruction of experience, and language in context--would…

Examines the study of literature and literary values, the need for such study, and the problem of justifying such study. (RL)

This paper maintains that the two basic dimensions of developmentally appropriate practice are age appropriateness and individual appropriateness. For the latter dimension, individuals' patterns of growth, personality, families, and culture are believed to be important. Teachers who use developmentally appropriate practices believe that young…

This article reassesses the contribution of the Plowden Report (1967) to educational thinking in the United Kingdom. It discusses how the report was scapegoated by politicians advocating a performance-led approach and suggests the report, which advocated a holistic, child-centered educational approach, has much to contribute to present educational…

The key to developmentally appropriate practices is to let a child construct his or her own knowledge through interactions with the social and physical environment. Because the child is viewed as intrinsically motivated and self-directed, effective teaching capitalizes on the child's motivation to explore, experiment, and to make sense of his or…

Studies have criticized age-graded schools as creating a barrier to meeting the goals of equity and instructional excellence in schools. This handbook provides research on multiage classroom practices and argues that a multiage system better addresses and meets students' needs. Information is presented on the following topics: educational reform,…