Purpose: Providing insights into the need to go beyond superficial equity efforts in classrooms, the authors present a standardized test analogy to make the concept of oppression accessible and relevant for educators. Three levels of oppression (individual, institutional and cultural/societal) are described along with a brief overview of Paulo…

This book upholds the idea of learning and education as a means to individual development and social empowerment. It presents a holistic picture, looking at learning as an integral part of one's social and physical life. Strongly differing from existing classroom perspectives, the book analyses integrated learning at its broadest possible…

Gulf Island Film and Television School (GIFTS) is a community-based new media school founded 15 years ago by a group of documentary and commercial filmmakers on the site of a former logging camp on the island of Galiano in British Columbia, Canada. This article presents insights derived from a component of a larger research project investigating…

The purpose of this study was to examine urban teachers' identified strengths in varied cognitive, affective, and psychological capacities, and their impact on self-efficacy and teacher practices. Clifton and Anderson in the Gallup Organization's Strengths Quest (2004) presented compelling evidence suggesting a mind-set of "what's right with me"…

Students, including advanced students, often lack the knowledge, confidence, and experience to participate effectively in competitive, bartering, or conflict situations. The concept that influencing skills are not limited to those in authority and can be learned comprises the framework for this teaching activity. The credible and adaptable…

Heroism means different things to different people. Uncovering individual definitions requires discussion and personal insights. Five brief biographies to stimulate discussion are included. Activities are suggested. (MT)

This book presents an approach to learning that builds on trust and personal regard. It is based on the experiences of a second grade teacher and relates anecdotal experiences. Chapter I discusses beginning the transference of power, pre-planning for the school year, and creating an environment. Chapter II discusses building trust, focusing on…

Creativity in the mathematics classroom is not just about what pupils do, but also what teachers do. If they are thinking creatively about the mathematical experiences they offer their pupils they can open up opportunities for them to be creative. This article reflects the belief of staff at the NRICH Mathematics Project that mathematics is about…

Certain fundamental perspectives on social issues have become conventions in the way society is represented in school curricula, distorting the kind of social understanding needed by young people. Among these distorting conventions are functionalism, determinism, and individualism. These approaches to social education are analyzed; alternative…

This book examines sources of disempowerment in classrooms and schools and suggests ways to deal with them. This book shows how to build children's feelings of competence, control and influence by understanding and increasing their self-esteem. Chapter 1 looks at the barriers to overcome in empowering children. It examines how numerous forces at…

This document is a curriculum guide on obedience to authority based on the assumption that informed, educated, thoughtful individuals are more likely to make intelligent decisions regarding obedience or disobedience to authority figures' requests than are uninformed individuals. The intent of this curriculum is to expose students to a small number…

Self-contained units of study on advertising will help secondary students to critically analyze the utility, completeness, and accuracy of various sources of product information. In the first of five units, students are asked to think about the many benefits consumers and producers derive from advertising. The second unit makes students aware that…

The activities in this teacher's manual are designed to help challenge the notion that adolescents think the use of alcohol is part of the growing up experience. It is geared towards activities with middle school students that reinforce to students that they have the potential to control their own lives and make healthy choices. It suggests…

Student leadership can become a malevolent force which can destroy or undermine individuals as well as the school community. Student leaders' roles in schools can also, however, be benevolent, leading to both personal development and school/community development. In schools for blacks in South Africa, black power and student power may combine to…

This book excerpt presents several learning activity ideas related to negotiating. Students review principles of negotiation, write about their experiences negotiating, learn about body language, find historical examples of good negotiators, practice mathematics skills in negotiating spending money for a trip, and examine the impact of humanity's…