Presents guidelines for developing thematic units for primary students (pick broad-based themes, gather resources, avoid time traps, let student interests guide the themes, create interactive bulletin boards, and organize materials). The article offers ideas, activities, and experiences for beginning a color unit and maintaining thematic teaching…

Although there is a strong case for teaching economics at the middle school level, there are practical hurdles to making that goal a reality. Academic economists, who are well trained in economic theory and its applications, are not trained, generally, in the theory and application of effective curriculum development and teaching methods for the…

Tips on creating a course in film making, one that will help students master basic English skills. (RL)

This paper explores the use of conceptual themes as a framework for interdisciplinary studies with gifted students. Describes sample themes and suggested student products, as well as guidelines for brainstorming, planning activities, facilitating production, and evaluating student products. (PB)

Time-Distance maps and the simulation game of "Section" illustrate the High School Geography Project Materials. History of the project, objectives, strategies, and innovativeness are discussed. (VW)

Outlines general steps in designing a literature-based thematic unit: selecting a theme, determining unit length, identifying concepts, locating resources, brainstorming and sequencing class activities, and planning for evaluation. Presents a planning chart and a sample unit for elementary grades developed around the theme of life in the rural…

Presents six brief articles by six Arizona teachers offering their reflections about practices, strategies, and vision as they make changes toward a multicultural curriculum. (SR)

Presents a social studies unit on house building for 5- to 7-year olds. Discusses rationale for the project approach and outlines unit components. Describes the three components of the curriculum planning strategy: (1) impression activities; (2) extension activities; and (3) expression activities. Discusses experiences during unit implementation…

The theme of this unit is "Kwakiutl Native Americans of the American Northwest." The content is based on the third grade text of the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies curriculum entitled "From Sea to Shining Sea," and includes learning experiences in social studies, math, science, language arts, music, drama, art, and physical…

The social studies unit presented in this paper is intended to continue for one semester. Its purpose is to develop a greater understanding of the student's: (1) own history and cultural heritage and (2) self growth. Designed so that the students themselves are the researchers and explicators of their own cultures, the unit allows the students to…

This paper investigates the thematic study approach in theory and practice as it applies to the elementary grades, specifically to third grade. Part 1 defines the theme study approach and explains the theories and assumptions that support it as a viable approach to teaching and learning. Part 2 examines research supporting the thematic approach.…

The goal of this ninth grade elective social studies course is to acquaint students with the U.S. criminal and civil legal systems. This curriculum guide presents the course content in outline form according to the general topics of: (1) the history of U.S. law; (2) Constitutional law; and (3) civil law. Two suggested textbooks are listed, and…

Focusing on Latin America's culture and historical development, this seventh grade social studies curriculum guide provides teaching methods for presenting this topic in the classroom and lists resource materials including three textbooks. A topical outline suggests that the course emphasize: (1) Latin America's physical environment; (2) the…

Contents of this book, designed to give the certified personnel of the Bernalillo Public Schools (Dade County, N.M.) an idea of what can be done in their teaching areas to meet with the philosophy of that school system, include units on: Social Studies, grades one to six; "We Three and Our Home"; "About me"; "My…