This unit is designed to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills by allowing students to assume the roles of 1992 Winter Olympic Games planners who make preparations for the event. A reproducible data sheet serves as a resource. Hands-on activities and a critical television viewing activity are included. (IAH)

This learning activities notebook presents creative, elementary- and secondary-level, standards-based learning activities for teachers by teachers. They include a November-December teaching almanac, mathematics activities, language arts activities, science activities, and social studies activities. A reproducible sheet presents a Santa Sightings…

Article described a project in which students learned to cooperate and communicate as they built a "police car." (RK)

Presents 21 ideas for helping children learn to do story problems in math. (SJL)

Teachers can help students become better problem solvers when they introduce several problem solving strategies. Activities for classroom use are offered. (DF)

Discusses a student project for the control of environmental pollution. (RK)

Article investigated solutions for storing and releasing pets used for learning processes in the classroom. (RK)

Suggests math activities for elementary students that are designed to strengthen problem-solving, computation, and calculator skills by revolving around the real-life situation of a picnic. The article suggests designing a class project to plan and carry out a class picnic, stressing the use of mathematics and calculators. (SM)

Article describes a class project by students interested in preserving endangered wildlife and environmental mini-courses designed to help elementary students find meaning in Earth Week celebrations. (Author/RK)

Nine lessons are presented to help teachers incorporate a critical thinking program into their curriculum. The activities related address three skill areas: communication, creativity and problem solving. (IAH)

Index cards, masking tape, pizza shells, golf tees, and empty soda bottles can be used to make manipulative objects to be used in children's mathematics games. Twenty-two games that provide practice in number drills and problem solving are described, along with instructions for making objects needed for the games. (PP)

Asserting that problem solving is the most important mathematical skill that elementary students need to learn, the authors present teaching tips and sample problems geared to the primary and intermediate grades. (SJL)

Offers two problem-solving ideas for hands-on pattern-block activities. A primary level activity introduces area and gives students experience with a problem that has multiple solutions. An intermediate level activity provides first-hand experience with similar shapes. (SM)

An inner city school solved its attendance problem by developing special attendance teams that helped promote plans of positive action to prevent children from becoming chronic absentees and potential dropouts. (Author/RK)

Describes computer simulation programs that take elementary and secondary students exploring. One has students act as Magellan commanding his ship to reinforce history, geography, decision-making, and resource management skills. Another has students use problem-solving skills to venture across oceans and find trading routes to the Orient. (SM)