This research study focuses on preservice teachers' (n=66) inspection of pedagogical connections between geography and geometrical reasoning. The aim of this study was to empirically investigate the use of mathematical analysis to enrich the social studies topics of the distortion of country sizes on the world map. The analysis of data collected…

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…

In this article, the author discusses how he began a series of lessons on the French and Indian War era. He incorporates physical activity, paintings, artifacts, diaries and discussions into the lessons, so that students in fourth grade through middle school can get a real feel for what the colonial frontier was like. He emphasizes that using…

Describes a step-by-step process for elementary class brainstorming to develop interdisciplinary learning projects and activities: (1) initial listing of everything concerning the topic; (2) organizing the ideas by discipline, responsibility, and logical sequence; (3) experientializing the topics; and (4) identifying skills to be incorporated in…

An elementary school art museum, directed, staffed, and supplied by students, is described. Each year a unifying theme emphasizes the interrelationships of art, music, social science, math, reading, and English. The art students become artists of a selected period and their creations become the museum's collection for the year. (KC)

A focus on school reform within the field of elementary education has brought an arts-integrated approach to teaching and learning to the forefront. This is not a new approach, as integrating what many call "hands-on activities" in the classroom is quite common. The difference lies in the quality and depth of the approach to teaching and learning,…

Discusses the early use of straw in Africa and Europe as a building material. Provides background information and a basic framework for the straw bale project, and recommends supervision for young students. Lists objectives for building a straw bale bench and provides the building instructions which consist of three sessions. Includes four…

Outdoor learning activities often cause problems in class control. Organizing children into game-playing activities that emphasize ecological and biological themes helps reinforce learning with play. Several activities are described. (DF)

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)

A third grader describes Ms. Gonzalez, his favorite teacher, who left to accept a more lucrative teaching assignment. Ms. Gonzalez' butterflies unit covered everything from songs about social butterflies to paintings of butterfly wings, anatomy studies, and student haiku poems and biographies. Students studied biology by growing popcorn plants…

Describes gardening activities teachers can use to promote cognitive and social growth in their students. A garden may serve as a natural laboratory where students may develop a caring ethic and observe the connection between production and consumption. Provides suggestions for adapting the gardening activity to any grade level. (LS)

This activity packet, designed for elementary grades 2-4, provides educators with a series on hands-on interdisciplinary classroom and outdoor education activities that focus on aquatic life at Lake James State Park, North Carolina. The packet was designed to meet established curriculum objectives of the North Carolina Department of Public…

States that learning is most effective when the learner has a basic understanding of established goals, when individual differences are considered, and when concept learning is enhanced by connecting first hand experiences. Advocates the use of social studies activities as a meaningful and logical way to enhance language and learning skills. (GEA)

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)

"City Street Learning", an extension of Philadelphia inner-city regular reading and mathematics classes for elementary students, turns the school neighborhood into an outdoor classroom. It also combines science and social studies activities, community surveys and interviews, as well as reading and mathematics. (Author/RK)