The U.S. Census Bureau and its Statistics in Schools (SIS) program offer a number of tools that students can use to access data. Students can find city- or state-specific information about their birthplace, current place of residence, or ideal future hometown, for example. Using these tools, students and teachers can see data on housing,…

It is important that educators understand how to adapt their health education lessons to ensure they are inclusive of all students. This article provides six strategies for teaching health education to students with intellectual disabilities, both in the classroom and in physical education class, to improve their health literacy.

Courses: Interpersonal Health Communication, Communication in Health Care Settings. Objectives: This lesson is designed for health profession students whose work will involve direct interaction with patients. It is designed to help students (a) better understand how to diagnose patients' needs for both informational and emotional support when…

At this moment in history when so many of teachers feel constantly pressed for time and deluged with information, they need to rethink why they address, or do not address, current events in K-8 classrooms. Children are persistently interacting with images on screens of all sizes and shapes. Teachers need to consider how they can best use their…

This article describes a lesson plan that encouraged the usage of digital tools to enhance inquiry as a key tool in teaching elementary social studies. The lesson revolved around a field trip to the home of Civil War Governor Oliver P. Morton (Centerville, Indiana). The active, investigative, and questioning nature of inquiry in social studies…

Modern technology and the Internet have opened the door to a plethora of new opportunities to learn. It is now easier to research, communicate and study, thanks to advances in technology. There are, however, problems and dangers associated with new technology. Teachers need to remain up to date on these advances. The widespread popularity of…

This is a must-have resource for all K-12 teachers and administrators who want to really make the best use of available technologies. Written by Doug Johnson, an expert in educational technology, "The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide" is replete with practical tips teachers can easily use to engage their students and make their…

We live in a climate ripe for noise: Media outlets and 24-hour news cycles mean that everyone with access to a computer has access to a megaphone to broadcast their views. Never before in human history has an opinion had the opportunity to reach so many so quickly regardless of its accuracy or appropriateness. Of course, it's difficult to hear…

Effective use of informational texts in early elementary grade classrooms can extend and expand children's knowledge of the world and provide critical skills necessary for success in the information age. This article suggests several research-based instructional activities that will enhance children's ability to use and comprehend informational…

Examines issues in monitoring students' growth and performance as they progress through a training program. These include ensuring faculty and advisor access to evaluation information; demonstrating student growth while remediating weaknesses; and tracking trends in student work. A model for developing a continuous assessment project at one…

Outlines the experiences of 14 students who made up the first cohort to complete a Masters Degree in literacy by distance learning. Examines why they chose the particular course and the impact of it on their professional development, their careers and their working practices. Investigates the problems involved in studying through distance learning…

This article provides a five day unit for secondary students which demonstrates how limited information influences U.S. foreign policy decisions. Students assume roles as presidential advisors recommending actions among three imaginary foreign countries and the United States. (JDH)

Describes ArcView, a Geographic Information System (GIS) that enables K-12 classrooms to access electronic maps and information databases for specific communities. Presents actual applications of ArcView at an elementary school and a high school. Finds that students are using GIS technology to collect, analyze, and apply local data to real…

Describes five steps to help students create multimedia presentations: (1) locate, access, and analyze information; (2) design the presentation using hypermedia software; (3) organize the information and compose the text; (4) select and integrate multimedia; and (5) revise and practice. (LRW)

Alerts educators to potentially objectionable Internet materials. Electronic mail, newsgroups, file transfer protocol sites, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Multiuser Dungeons (MUDs), and Multiuser Object Oriented (MOOs) are services whose user anonymity can embolden discussions regarding sex, prejudice, religious dogma, and gambling. Teachers may wish…