Discusses the problems facing writers of curriculum documents. Concentrating on the implementation problems in elementary science education, the author attempts to clarify how a careful design of curriculum materials can improve the implementation process and outcomes. States that, for initial implementation efforts, a structured approach is more…

The small school system of Genoa City, Wisconsin, developed a comprehensive curriculum to guide daily classroom instruction. Steps included selecting a textbook series before beginning the curriculum revision process and individualizing the guide by highlighting each teacher's areas of accountability. (MLF)

Encourages a movement back to providing more stories in the daily lives of children. Suggests that many classifications of story should exist within the curricula of schools and, therefore, in the hearts and minds of children, in the culture, and in the future. Presents the author's categories of stories: the gifts; teacher tales; and affirmation…

This handbook provides specific guidelines to supervisory activity which relate directly to the classroom work of teachers and youngsters. Chapters concern the principal and his involvement in curriculum psychological principles of learning as a guide to supervisory activity, sociological principles of education as a guide to supervisory activity,…

The Principal Teacher Interaction Study analyzes what principals do to bring about curriculum implementation and school improvement. For one year, this study documented principals' interventions to assist new curriculum program implementation at nine elementary schools. Data on responder, manager, and initiator leadership styles show critical…

Observations in Australian classrooms suggest that for most teachers the content and method of curriculum has changed little as a result of the proliferation of new information technologies. In many instances there has been considerable resistance and reluctance to embrace the use of new technologies to support the teaching and learning process.…

Teacher advisors in the Fall River (MA) public schools bridge theory and practice and merge curriculum development with staff development. They have revitalized the writing curriculum, brought freshness and excitement to teaching, and raised the quality of student writing. Their approach is described. (MT)

Asserting that elementary teachers are going to become increasingly involved with economic concepts, and that economic education at the elementary level is at an important developmental stage,'' the author explains how economics can be included in the curriculum without taking other subject matter out, and suggests approaches to the training of…

Alberta's (Canada) new 1984 elementary art curriculum, which is described here, has as its central focus the child as artist. It is concerned with having children think and behave as artists. (RM)

Argues that map skills instruction is among the broadest skill applications in the elementary school curriculum. Identifies problems encountered by elementary school children in dealing with maps and describes tasks designed to address such problems. Suggests that what teachers and curriculum developers learn from working with students can be used…

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…

Lets the reader "listen in" as a group of four teachers search for a focusing question as they plan a focus study on the colonial period of American history. Organizes the authors' thinking, knowledge, resources, and predictions about what the students might bring to the table and what they might need from their teachers. (SG)

Reviews representative instructional studies of inference training, reciprocal teaching, and process training. Discusses both the concept of explicit comprehension instruction and potential difficulties in classroom implementation. Raises two important curricular concerns. (NH)

Defines curriculum as a written organizational plan used for conscious decisionmaking to enhance student achievement and promote responsible social behavior. All written plans for Red Bank (New Jersey) Schools, including testing, scheduling, and budgeting, become part of this curriculum. Workable plans need a sound structure and constant revision.…

This article provides an overview of how oral language and writing activities may be integrated into a typical kindergarten through sixth-grade social studies curriculum. (JDH)