Age-appropriate children's books can be an effective way to introduce and discuss issues of social justice with young students. These books can be the anchor for interdisciplinary lessons that integrate core content areas, such as language arts, science, and/or social studies with the visual and performing arts to enrich students' learning…

Educators stress the importance of play for children's cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. In order to effectively advocate for the inclusion of play in education settings, it is important to fully understand it. Two researchers, one from England and one from the Netherlands, sought common ground for understanding what children…

Children's participation in yoga activities is receiving increasingly widespread attention as an exercise system that promotes not only physical health benefits but also psychological well-being. The authors of this article introduce how yoga practices can be implemented in an early childhood classroom to enhance children's mind and body harmony,…

An urban school district and a university developed a curriculum emphasizing academic language for its English language learners (ELL) students. The partnership began when the district's elementary ESL coordinator approached three university faculty for support in developing a three-year summer school curriculum emphasizing mathematics and science…

This article presents four Idea-Sparkers that were submitted by Jason McKinney, a graduate student at Southern Mississippi University and a 1st-grade teacher at Pisgah Elementary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. First is entitled, "Raceway in the Classroom." This activity can help increase children's fluency and ability to identify numerous…

Author suggests activities that enable children to become actively involved on an individual basis within a regular classroom. (Author/CB)

Describes the circumstances which provoked creative expression in writing by a seven-year-old in an English primary school, and discusses the school's flexible, humanistic environment. (BR)

The project approach involves an in-depth investigation of a particular topic that integrates language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and the fine arts and extends over a period of several days or weeks. Discusses new ways to implement this approach in early childhood classrooms. (MDM)

Describes the history of and interest in integrated curriculum at the middle level. Questions how middle level educators can support and defend integrated curriculum when faced with the demands of the standards-based reform movement. Addresses support, acceptance, and academic standards of an integrated curriculum, asserting that integrated…

Explains the British Infant School approach to the teaching of reading and writing, in which reading flows directly from the children's writing-which, in turn, is stimulated by virtually every aspect of the school program. Includes samples of the children's writing. (BR)

Suggests that by making quilt squares with tangrams, children link geometry and children's literature. Provides background on quilts and tangrams, and provides guidelines for teachers. Points out that children gain communication and mathematical thinking skills as they manipulate and explore relationships among pieces. Contains an annotated…

Discusses how literature can facilitate students' appreciation of the multifaceted Hispanic culture. Offers advice on merging Hispanic literature and literacy instruction, organizing children's books by category to help structure classroom activities, exploring themes and cultural concepts, and integrating literacy/thinking strategies with…

The need to teach critical thinking skills at all educational levels continues. But teachers should not rely on special courses and tests to do the job. Instead, teachers should create an atmosphere that encourages critical inquiry. Thinking skills activities for various content areas are reviewed. (BB)

A kindergarten teacher and a language development teacher collaborated in using a thematic literature activity, in which kindergartners focused on a book which was read to them, discussed it, and engaged in related dramatic play; discussed feelings and drew pictures; and recalled earlier sessions of the activity. The kindergarten teacher extended…

Discusses careful planning, enlightened leadership, informed and enthusiastic teachers, and continuous evaluation as prerequisites for successful interdisciplinary teamwork. Suggests that interdisciplinary teaming allows better use of faculty members' skills, and provides better strategies for dealing with diversified populations, better…