In spite of numerous calls for action, e.g., Executive Office of the President (2010), there have been few efforts nationally to promote engineering education in the elementary grades. Of these, hardly any have targeted underrepresented populations (National Academy of Engineering, 2009, p. 74). The collaboration described in this paper is a…

Jefferson County (Colorado), because of an elementary school science program and a junior high school applied program, was among the six school systems honored by the National Science Teachers Association for exemplary science programs. Specific characteristics of the Colorado programs, and those common to all successful science programs, are…

Describes resources used to teach local history at the third-grade level in El Cajon, California. The content of the resources is described as well as the methods used to develop the resources. (AM)

Discusses creating an outdoor classroom as a means to enhance the curriculum with outdoor, hands-on learning. It is based on a project at Olympic Heights Elementary School in Calgary. Includes a list of pointers on how an outdoor classroom can integrate language arts, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, art and music. (AIM)

Presented is the stage-set design approach to classroom environment, in which the classroom is designed as a stage so that learning experiences and situations may become life-related and purposeful. (BD)

Provides suggestions on how schoolyard greening can enhance curriculum and engage students in creative ways to integrate a naturalized area into their studies. Subject areas covered include language arts, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, art and music. (AIM)

A new science program for elementary schools (developed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study) emphasizes concrete experiences, providing students with opportunities to observe phenomena, record their observations, and discuss them with other students. Cooperative learning is a primary program component because it enhances children's ability…

Profiles Art Turner, head of an interdisciplinary team of four curriculum specialists in the Oxford Hills (Maine) Schools. Originally hired to ensure elementary students' readiness for junior high school, the specialists are continuing as agents of curriculum improvement in science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts. Cooperative and…

Explores the roles that preference, comfort level, and training play in teachers' willingness to provide environmental education opportunities in natural settings. Suggests a strong relationship between personal preference and comfort levels and teachers' willingness to take their students to a particular natural setting. (CCM)

Suggests that educators will increase learning if they base curriculum on children's thinking patterns. Discusses prominent characteristics of young children's thinking and selection of content appropriate to these thinking patterns. (DB)

Research evidence has pointed to the efficacy of integrating academic subject matter with movement experiences for children. Since language is the most important skill children learn in school, a methodology which uses learning centers, simulations, games, and other learning modes involving movement needs to be developed. (JN)

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)

This manual is intended to help elementary teachers: (1) recognize and achieve the objectives of the art program; (2) organize the classroom (including the equipment, art materials, and tools) to provide an atmosphere conducive to congenial living, and efficient working and learning; (3) plan painting, drawing, and craft activities so that…

Curricular developments over the last decade are assessed and potential influences or curriculum change in the future are identified and discussed. Among trends noted are emphasis on activity learning, language development, and compensatory education. Developments in European curriculum, extracurricular education, and locally developed curricula…

The development of the Individualized Mathematics (IM) program is described in this paper. This program, for use in grades K-3, incorporates elements from predecessor Learning Research and Development Center mathematics programs, IPI mathematics, and PEP quantification. It features the systematic use of lessons involving manipulatives in an…