This paper presents 10 units in an introductory oral communication course which utilize instructional techniques necessary for student success in attaining 15 course objectives. Each unit consists of a goal statement and sections on objectives, content description, enabling activities, and instructional resources. The time frame for instruction…

While the basic course in communication cannot eradicate the violence sweeping American society, it can take important steps to reduce violence and conflict by acquainting all college students with alternative means for handling conflicts. First, the instructor should ask the students to try to define "conflict," and then responses to…

A first-year composition instructor designed a 3-week unit on folklore that fulfilled a requirement that students produce writing based on field research at some time during the semester. The unit begins with a discussion of the concepts of folklore, folklore genres, and the role that folklore serves in folk and ethnic groups and cultures,…

During the past five years there has been new research into the teaching of history to children. Many educators are advocating once again the teaching of history through concepts. This elementary school unit uses the concept approach to teaching history. The lesson examines the concept of war and wars' impact on the lives of a variety of people.…

An instructional approach to reasoning and critical thinking which fulfills behavioral objectives and retains a general educational perspective for the development of student knowledge and skills is the "micro inductive reasoning unit." In this approach neither subject matter nor propositions are prescribed. The teacher acts as…

This paper proceeds through an interdisciplinary unit of inquiry-based instruction, using the Vietnam War combat novel or memoir as a coming of age narrative, the classic thematic structure of the "bildungsroman." The paper discusses several key inquiry activities and asks readers to focus on two other key inquiry activities to help illustrate how…

By linking a first-year writing class and an introductory chemistry class at Utica College of Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York) the instructor hoped to foster camaraderie among the students; help students see the connections between the two disciplines; and disrupt students' pattern of unquestioning acceptance of the authority of the…

This paper describes the development and implementation of an after school program designed to introduce the Spanish language to children between the ages of 5 and 9. The program consists of 8 to 10 weekly units, each lasting 50 minutes, that provide students with basic vocabulary and grammar in an interesting and motivating format. Each unit…

Despite claims to the contrary, the English language program has improved dramatically over the past 20 years. The traditional program's drill/memorization approach was ineffectual, incomplete, shallow, and uninteresting. Today, however, the study of language involves looking at all of its aspects, sounds, words, and symbols. Instead of throwing…

This paper discusses four thematic units that teachers can use with preschool and primary grades, along with examples of activities that can be integrated into each unit. The units include "Land of Many Colors," based upon a book of the same name that tells the story of gingerbread-shaped characters who learn to accept each other even…

The unit of study offered in this paper is designed to guide the analysis of a representative sample of modern fiction from four English-speaking countries: the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. Annotations of six novels are offered to show both how their main characters are young people coping with an intensely painful problem…

This unit of study explains how students, using picture books whose stories simplify various language arts themes and concepts, will apply and extend themes and concepts to grade level tasks. The unit adds that, along with the appropriate grade level mastery of the language arts Sunshine State Standards, an added benefit will be that students will…