This document discusses Learning Enhancement Teams (LETs). Working together, social studies teachers from grades K-12, science teachers, vocational education teachers, curriculum specialists, instructional support services personnel, media specialists, contracted services representatives, administrators, and community resource people design…

Discusses the advantages of an interdisciplinary curriculum, especially in elementary school. Implementing interdisciplinary curriculum units helps children acquire targeted concepts and skills of various disciplines more effectively. Existing curriculum, current events, and student concerns are the places to find interdisciplinary unit ideas. (SM)

Holistic environmental education is viewed as a means of assisting in a long-term resolution of environmental degradation. Guidelines for a holistic environmental science curriculum are outlined for teachers and curriculum developers in this document. Major areas addressed include: (l) world views (discussing current and emerging paradigms and…

Explores the need for a philosophical foundation for environmental education. Considers two overriding ingredients: the need to avoid indoctrination and to concentrate on development of attitudes and acquisition of knowledge; and the need to offer positive, optimistic, and realistic views on environmental topics. (Author/BC)

This article puts forth some of the concepts and complexities involved in teaching secondary students ethical and aesthetic reasoning skills as well as the ideas of and debates throughout history. It is argued that curricula should connect holistically to the intellectual and emotional hierarchies of the gifted personality. (PB)

The article outlines a classroom-tested holistic language arts curriculum for the junior high resource room. The program covers reading, vocabulary building, comprehension, use of visual aid strategies, use of auditory/linguistic comprehension strategies, writing, listening, and speaking. Advantages of the curriculum include individualization,…

Examines three world views influencing curriculum development--atomism (underpinning competency-based education), pragmatism (promoting inquiry-based approaches), amd holism (associated with confluent or Waldorf education). Holism embodies the perennial philosophy and attempts to integrate cognitive, affective, and transpersonal dimensions,…

Recommends a holistic approach to teaching that emphasizes learning as a generative amalgamation of actions, cognitions, and emotions. Discusses the implications for change that such an approach would have for the teacher education curriculum. Argues that individuals do make a difference that can be positive if teachers embrace a principal of…

Environmental education ideally involves a holistic integration of all school subjects, but in reality the curriculum structure is very segmented. Traditional approaches to the study of environmental degradation have not recognized the interrelatedness of the system: problems in the biosphere have been addressed from the perspective of the…

This book provides classroom teachers at every grade level and subject the tools and background to effectively work with standards as a guide in their planning. It explains the process by which educators can rearticulate state standards and align the locally rearticulated standards to their curriculum and student performance. Six chapters include:…

Four elementary teachers describe how they support an interdisciplinary curriculum using integrated units. One builds tall towers of spaghetti. Another touches on all subjects using baseball card games. The third turns the playground into an archeological dig. The last sails the ocean along with the Pilgrims. (SM)

Although the primary focus of this book is on curriculum and instruction, the social, psychological, and historical context of the holistic curriculum are also considered. This curriculum seeks to develop the whole individual by fostering a sense of connectedness within oneself and with others. Various connections--between logic and intuition,…

Uses examples related to a head of cabbage to discuss: (1) sensory development in children; (2) the integration of sensory and cognitive involvement; and (3) a child's mode of exploring and discovering. Also discusses why science curricula need to be organized around a paradigm that is holistic. (JN)

Noting that the role of phonics in learning to read is hotly debated, this book speaks to educators who seek to establish sound instructional practice that values phonics as an important tool for understanding and using written language within a balanced, comprehensive program for reading and writing. It explains what phonics is and the…

Advocates and defines a contextual science approach which emphasizes holistic investigations of phenomena. In the approach, small groups of teachers (each with an area of expertise) would be in charge of instruction. An example of the approach (with suggested roles for each specialist) related to the world food supplies is given. (DH)