Presents four activities suitable for upper elementary and middle/junior high school students. These activities focus on: (1) a customized spelling program; (2) designing fashions; (3) a student-generated form letter to parents; and (4) computer debates. (JN)

"Solve a simpler problem" is the strategy illustrated, with suggestions on other strategies included. (MNS)

The problem-solving strategy of using a drawing is highlighted, with two problems discussed. Tips on classroom climate and other teaching ideas are also given. (MNS)

A teacher describes how a classroom diary, part of a daily classroom routine, was created through class members sharing their experiences with each other. The diary also served as a teaching tool in such areas as language arts and handwriting. (CB)

Using open-ended problems with more than one answer is disucssed, with examples. Other tips on open-ended problem solving are included. (MNS)

Explains how a computer and a large-screen television can help journalism instructors teach editing and writing skills. (FL)

Presents a collection of teaching activities suitable for middle grade students. They include a program for an Apple sketch pad and a Logo procedure to determine what angles produce polygons. Comments related to inputing variables, replicating patterns and figures, and using electronic spreadsheets are included. (JN)

The four-step method of problem solving is described: read the problem, represent or diagram, set up the calculations and compute, and write the answer. Other problem-solving tips are also included. (MNS)

The progression from simple interest to compound interest leads naturally and quickly to the number e, involving mathematical discovery learning through writing programs. Several programs are given, with suggestions for a teaching sequence. (MNS)

Presents a developmental approach to teaching programing at all educational levels which stresses concepts rather than syntax; provides motivation, relevant examples, and activities; proceeds from concrete to pictorial to abstract according to age and experience of learners; and utilizes increasingly complex activities building upon and extending…

Philography, or autograph collecting, is a good way to liven up social studies classes. For example, after watching the TV miniseries "Winds of War," students wrote to famous real life participants in the war asking them a variety of questions. The response rate was nearly 100 percent. (RM)

A conceptual framework and teaching guidelines for biographical history, i.e., centering the study of history in individual lives, are presented. Both the framework and guidelines were derived from a group of philosopher-historians representing a full monistic-pluralistic spectrum of theories: Marx, Weber, Toynbee, Ortega y Gasset, and Dilthey.…

Techniques that teachers can use to involve art students in the critical examination of photographs are described. Given the opportunity and some guidance, students can and do engage in stimulating thought and talk about the art of persuasive photographs that confront them daily. (RM)

Describes the usefulness of including historical fiction on reading lists in high school history courses. Lists criteria for selection and instructional use of historical fiction, and provides a list of historical fiction appropriate for use in studying certain topics in United States history. (KH)

Considering a fraction as directions for graphing a line through the origin of the x-y plane is suggested. Strengths and weaknesses of the idea are also discussed. (MNS)