Activities are described for helping students not just to recognize the historical significance of the Mayflower voyage but also to understand the actual courage of its passengers, through reliving the planning, principles, motivation, technicalities, and conditions of the voyage. (CB)

By introducing students to the idea of inventing their own celebrations, teachers encourage creativity and help them sort out values and make decisions. Students can savor a sense of community as they share discoveries with classmates. Examples of several invented celebrations are recounted. (MT)

Presents one teacher's classroom techniques for teaching responsibility through real-world learning experiences. Wall charts rotate everyday jobs. Students apply for challenging jobs. A lottery system determines who gets favorite jobs. Students vote on who organizes special events. (SM)

Ways in which to use literature to teach science are suggested, with examples given of reading materials for teaching about spiders and eyeglasses. Selected books about seasons, nature, and other scientific themes are listed. (CB)

Information and resources are provided for teachers in developing a unit to help students become smarter consumers and understand the purposes of merchandise packaging. (DF)

A four-week third-grade class study of the Summer Olympics is described. Activities for studying the host and participating countries were incorporated through map, social studies, art, mathematics, and language arts activities. (CB)

Suggestions for developing creative and original science fairs include trying new categories, issuing a challenge, and involving the community. (DF)

Teachers do not have to be musicians to help their students learn basic musical concepts. Activities are suggested that provide experiences with visualizing sounds, conducting, performing, and composing. These lessons can start a foundation on which to build more formal studies. (DF)

An elementary school class that learned sign language also benefited from several positive side effects. As the students developed a new means of communication, they also become more aware of deaf individuals and their needs. (DF)

Use of a checkbook can hook even the most reluctant mathematics students into learning mathematical and problem-solving skills. (CB)

A study of family history is suggested as a catalyst for motivating middle grade students and for effecting learning simultaneously. Numerous activities for adding interest and for expanding learning opportunities are offered. (DG)

Creating a class book can be an effective way to stimulate early elementary students' creativity and self-expression. The six steps are to: introduce the project; create the story; decide who does what; get it down on paper; put it all together; and share the experience. (SM)

A close involvement with the arts helps students develop skills useful for any area of the curriculum. Techniques are suggested for making the arts more than just extracurricular activities. (DF)

A teacher offers suggestions for teaching students to write through examining passages, phrases, or sentences they enjoy reading. Activities include writing letters to book authors; examining characterizations; and using word pictures. A list of well-written books is included. (CB)

Puppets can be used in the classroom to teach, to tell stories, to introduce new students or books, and to develop children's cooperation, creativity, and coordination. Instruction on how to make and manipulate puppets, plan puppet plays, and locate information on puppetry are given. (PP)