This qualitative case study examines the effectiveness of environmental and sustainability education (ESE) pedagogical strategies used in two Université de Saint-Boniface pre-service teacher education Curriculum and Instruction courses. The methods used to teach these ESE pedagogical strategies are described. Findings from interviews with former…

Up to 250 children of different ages can be seen when entering Sekolahku-MySchool (SMS) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, integrated and happily engaged, indoors or outdoors, in sustainable activities as part of their everyday learning. With ages ranging from 16 months to 13 years, the children engage in learning typical academic skills and techniques…

While it would be egregious not to acknowledge the dire state and looming removal of art and music programs in many schools today, it is equally important to recognize that individual classroom atmosphere ultimately begins with and emanates from the primary/elementary teacher. Teaching of young children is a soulful experience; it comes from the…

Most children require experience for effective environmental education and informational literature is not the most effective means. Uses stories to provide experiences in learning leading to inquiry in teaching and fostering the student imagination. Makes suggestions for the story selection process. (YDS)

Being truly literate means being able to navigate the multiple sign systems of our world--to respond appropriately to an e-mail message or to convey meaning to others through images and text. Instead of relying on written narrative texts, teachers must develop inquiry-based methods, using experiential learning projects, oral storytelling, film and…

Students participating in the technology-rich Schools for Thought program learn to acquire, evaluate, organize, and interpret information and communicate findings to their peers and to an adult, questioning audience. Evolving from three research-based programs, Schools For Thought features a rigorous, standards-based curriculum; careful…

The elementary unit kits, interdisciplinary and self contained learning systems comprised of a variety of learning activities and media which approach a social studies topic through a method of inquiry, are examined. (SM)

Integrates guided reading into the science curriculum to promote inquiry-based, hands-on learning. Describes the components and instructional strategies for a guided-reading lesson model and presents example activities. (YDS)

Presents a program for elementary teachers to learn how to use hand tools and household appliances to teach the principles of physics. The lesson helps teachers become familiar with simple hand tools, combat the apprehension of mechanical devices, and develop an interest in tools and technology. Session involves disassembling appliances to…

Discusses how technology-enhanced service-learning can help teachers address national standards. Describes a three-step process (preparing students for service- learning, reflecting on the experience, and taking action through communication) to strengthen service-learning. Uses the Internet to enhance environmental community projects. Includes a…

This professional development collaborative involved state agencies, local industry, an outdoor learning center, a university, and teams of teachers from rural schools. The program had three main goals: to introduce inquiry-based approaches to science teaching in the elementary classroom, to utilize field experiences to connect the program to…

The Learning Cycle Model presented is an attempt to build an articulated sequence of instructional activities that foster in-depth understanding of a complex natural phenomenon through many direct experiences that include student-generated inquiry, involve student-generated explanation and interpretation, and enrich the developed network of ideas…

The use of the inquiry approach in the teaching of elementary science is examined and advocated in this publication. The position that an inquiry approach is the best way to teach and learn science is upheld and its influence on the development of positive attitudes towards science is stressed. Section titles include: (1) "A Tale of Two Teachers"…

Indicates the inadequacies and limitations of traditionally written elementary science textbooks. Offers suggestions and provides examples for teaching more accurately and experientially the nature and process of science. Identifies several sources for enrichment of the textbook. (ML)

Ten activities that feature a hands-on, student inquiry-based investigatory approach to rocks and minerals are presented. "Guided discovery" and/or inquiry instructional strategies are emphasized. They focus on a student-centered active classroom. Each activity includes the heading, science content, the scientific process skills, objective or…