It seems each new school year brings its own opportunities to grow as an educator. As teachers in a STEM focused school that serves primarily at-risk students, the authors face a new challenge in rethinking their instruction to align with the "Next Generation Science Standards". This involves changing the focus of units previously taught…

Kenneth Burke is typically regarded as the single most significant figure in 20th-century rhetorical studies. Undergraduate textbooks in rhetorical criticism, rhetorical theory, and communication theory typically include coverage of Burke's theory of dramatism. In this article, the author describes a classroom activity dubbed "Burke Bingo" that…

Personal narratives can be useful epistemological tools or qualitative study methods that promote alternative ways of knowing in the classroom. Promoting interactive and meaningful classroom experiences involves motivating students in creative and innovative ways. In this essay, the authors discuss the use of personal narration as a pedagogical…

This article discusses the use of role-play as an effective strategy for enhancing the quality of multicultural curricula in the English as a second language (ESL) classroom. The author critiques the use of the simplistic additive approach to multicultural instruction and furthers the work of those theorists who advocate the use of the more…

An activity unit for teaching students how to write a summary and a precis of a written work is presented. Instructions to the teacher for introducing and carrying out the unit are given along with a list of student objectives. Definitions of relevant terms are included. The activities, some of which are to be done individually and some with a…

Describes a map skills unit used in a second grade classroom in which teachers and students engaged in activites that moved from the concrete to the abstract and from trips around the school neighborhood to a "trip" to Europe. An insert includes two map study ideas for use in intermediate grades. (SM)

Discusses the aims of activity centers, the planning of interesting and motivating learning tasks, and grouping procedures for elementary school students learning French as a second language. Proposes a French program geared to small groups of students in order to meet individual needs and improve children's ability to communicate. (MES)

An integrated elementary teaching package offers interesting facts about presidents and the White House. Cross-curricular activities focus on architecture, presidential birthplaces, portraits, communications, science, technology, touring the White House, children in the White House, a day in the life of the White House, and a White House birthday…

Describes a Louisiana elementary school's multidisciplinary geography program. The class selects a destination to which they travel by imaginary plane (created in the classroom), and the teacher integrates cross-curricular skills. Students research and discuss the trip (resources, flight plans, passports, and travel logs) and write descriptive…

Support of the need for more emphasis on mental arithmetic in the classroom is given. Classroom methods and activities for developing skill in mental arithmetic are included. (MN)

This guide offers suggestions for implementing active learning techniques in the community college classroom. The author argues that, although much of the literature on active learning emphasizes collaboration and small-group learning, active learning does not always involve interaction. It must also involve reflection and self-monitoring of both…

Presents a cross-curricular theme unit on colors that includes a pullout poster and a resource list. Social studies activities highlight flags of the world. Science activities teach about colors of animals and the science of color. Language arts activities describe colorful language. Mathematics activities involve sorting and graphing colors. (SM)

Suggests two units for use in grades 10 to 12 based on the topics for group discussion in the booklet "Guide to the Bagrut Examination." The units are intended to prepare students for the oral examinations to be used in Israel starting in 1986. An annotated reference list is included. (SED)

An activity unit for teaching students to identify and use imagery in writing is presented. Instructions to the teacher for introducing the unit are given along with a list of student objectives and definitions of imagery terms. The activities, some of which involve using locally available audiovisual media, include four introductory activities,…

A part of the New York City Board of Education Early Stages educational program, this activity packet was developed to assist teachers in preparing students for viewing the American Ballet Theatre's production of "The Nutcracker." The guide begins with a section on preparing for the performance, and includes information on the Early…