Opportunities for and limits upon diary writing in one second/third-grade classroom are examined with the purpose of stimulating critical thinking about two issues: (1) the diary's potential within the school writing curriculum, and (2) the classroom as an environment for the teaching and learning of writing. Field notes, teacher journal entries,…

Presents a case study exploring how major curriculum change has affected the students in an English secondary school. Focuses on how government policy and internal curriculum restructuring have disrupted learning conditions. Suggests that quantitative-based curriculum innovation does not take into accout the cultural specificity of the school…

Reports the results of an evaluation of a popular literature-based character education program using a sample of first to sixth grade students (n=965). Finds that the curriculum had a positive effect on cognitive outcomes and that an emphasis of character throughout the curriculum contributed to achieving character outcomes. Includes references.…

This report examined the effects of implementation of England's National Curriculum requirements on teachers, students, teaching methods, and classroom organization. Most teachers accepted the National Curriculum in principle, while at the same time reporting problems regarding pace and extent of changes. Changes in teaching approach and…

The aim of this study was to explore preservice classroom teacher reflection in a physical education teaching and learning environment and to describe how the teachers' reflections related to their practices. Two preservice classroom teachers voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected using observations, journals, documents, and…

Presents a study of results of training a nursery teacher and nurse in "Incidental Teaching" (IT) procedures designed to encourage child-initiated language interactions in the classroom. Reports increased use of IT by the subjects and in initiation by second-language learning children. Concludes that the number of words used increased…

Reports an interpretive study of curriculum differentiation which looks at a lower-track curriculum at a midwestern public high school. Examines the relationships among curriculum differentiation, classroom conflict, and social differentiation. Concludes that curriculum is a sociocultural construction, that student responses are crucial…

Describes the structure and philosophy of the National History Curriculum in England, which went into effect in September 1991. Argues that its mechanistic approach and assessment program has little to do with realities of the classroom or students' historical understanding. Presents an alternative method for assessing students' historical…

This paper analyzes the planned and unplanned and external and internal forces that influence curriculum. Three questions guide the analysis of curriculum change in American schools during the 20th century: what forces changed curriculum? what forces maintained stability? which forces are amenable to planned change and are appropriate candidates…