Differentiated instruction is a nice idea, but what happens when it comes to assessing and grading students? What's both fair and leads to real student learning? An internationally recognized expert on grading practices, Rick Wormeli first examined these questions 10 years ago in the first edition of "Fair Isn't Always Equal." In this…

Published in partnership with WestEd, this significantly updated second edition of the bestselling book contains strategies for helping students in middle school through community college gain the reading independence to master subject area textbooks and other material. Features of this book include: (1) Based on the Reading Apprenticeship…

The quality of an honors seminar reflects more than the course content and the instructor's preferred style. It is largely a function of the extent to which the instructor attends to small-group processes, and group dynamics research offers leadership ideas. (MSE)

A teacher discusses how she used criticism of "The Scarlet Letter," when studying the book, in her honors class. The students were also intrigued by the biographical information they learned about Hawthorne, and eager to use it in interpreting his novel. (SRT)

Students in an honors section of a basic public speaking course asked for a final examination which was not multiple choice. Taught from a multicultural perspective, the course emphasized dialogue, excitement, and democratic principles, as well as issues regarding group differences and how power relations function to structure racial and ethnic…

Presents an instructional unit designed to integrate information problem-solving skills within the context of honors biology and chemistry curriculum content. Audience, rationale, general objectives, skills objectives, science content objectives, unit organization, planning time, activities, evaluation, and materials are outlined. (2 references)…

Describes the use of the "fishbowl" strategy for fostering class discussion of literary works. Argues that this method, which places one small group of discussants within a larger circle of observers, is an effective means of developing discussion and listening skills. (HB)

Independent study, fieldwork, and peer teaching are particularly well suited to helping outstanding students learn, interact collaboratively, and become contributing members of the academic community. Study options, elements of a study contract, and other components are described. (MSE)

Describes six books appropriate for use with high school advanced or honors biology classes. The stories describe scientists who persevered against existing preconceptions in science or society at three levels: (1) prevailing mainstream scientific ideas; (2) gender; and (3) nationality or race. Presents ideas for using biographies as part of a…

Intended as a resource for instructional planning, this grade 6 language arts curriculum guide purposes to promote greater student achievement through alignment of the written, the taught, and the tested curriculum, and to promote broader and higher levels of thinking through objectives, activities, and strategies which integrate content and…

An overview is provided of an honors futures course offered at Isothermal Community College and entitled "Orwell's '1984': Myth or Reality." The paper traces the sequence of class activities, discussion topics, and student assignments for the 11-week course. The following issues are discussed, both within and outside of the context of…

Students in an honors urban class collected architectural data on all residential buildings constructed prior to 1950 in the city of La Puente, California and made recommendations regarding the preservation of certain structures. The project is described. (RM)

The Summer University Honors Program (SUHP) was designed to increase the participation and success rate of underrepresented minority students in the honors program at the University of California (Riverside). In addition to the 6-week residential summer experience before the freshman year, continuous monitoring and support are provided during the…

Describes a freshman liberal arts honors course on adult development and aging. Contains suggestions for selecting and using readings, films, music, and television shows. Provides examples of how to make connections between these materials and the scientific literature. (DSK)

Describes a project in which undergraduate students learn ecological principles and methods by contributing to research involved in restoring an old agricultural field to mesic property. Finds that the project enhances student motivation and interest. (Author/WRM)