The use of drama in the classroom provides concrete opportunities to explore such higher-level thinking abilities as synthesis, evaluation, and divergent thinking. Suggested activities for use with upper elementary and secondary students involve pantomime, verbal improvisation, expressing emotions, and developing characters. (JDD)

Suggestions for using children's literature in special classes for hearing-impaired elementary grade students are offered, using Wanda Gag's "Millions of Cats" as an example that is applied across all curriculum areas. (DB)

Several ideas are presented which can be used by teachers to arouse children's interest in birds and, at the same time, enhance skills in math, reading, writing, art, and creative thinking. A list of reading resources is included. (IAH)

Ten activities classifying buttons are presented. Additional suggestions are given for using children's literature and for how to begin. (MNS)

Cooperative learning situations are described in which children work in small groups toward a mutual goal. When such groups should be used are included, with classroom examples. (MNS)

Four of the author's favorite calculus word problems are presented. These aid students in recognizing and applying concepts in contexts unlike those in typical textbook problems. (MNS)

Examples are given of how calculator-sized pocket computers, which can receive, store, and execute BASIC programs, can be used in mathematics classrooms. (MNS)

Examines the relationship between instructional design (ID) activities and perceived project success. Analysis was based on interviews with 40 practicing instructional designers involved in 77 ID projects. Results indicate that designers don't implement all the ID activities prescribed by traditional models and that certain activities are…

Describes having a pot-bellied pig in a classroom. Students learned how to care for the pig and train it. Describes other animals in the classroom and the class putting on shows for other students. (PR)

Presents a series of investigations focusing on the biodegradable packing materials ("peanuts"), which provide a method for exploring science through experimentation. These activities can help fourth through sixth graders sharpen their critical thinking and science process skills. (PR)

Defines number sense and gives suggestions and activities for teachers to use in helping students develop number sense, including using process questions, using writing assignments, encouraging invented methods, using appropriate calculation tools, helping students establish benchmarks, and promoting internal questioning. (MKR)

Describes how teachers can help students improve their critical thinking skills by watching movie segments then writing and/or drawing what they think happened earlier or would happen later in the movie. A word processing or graphics program makes it easy to create written and graphic accounts. (SM)

Offers suggestions for presenting multiplication to elementary students at the primary and intermediate levels. At the primary level, the emphasis is on introducing the concept of multiplication; at the intermediate level, the focus is on numeration and place value (using grids and a place value game). (SM)

Suggests that teachers use genealogy as a way of increasing student interest in history. Recommends an A, E, I, O, U approach to genealogy that calls upon students to ask questions, examine documents, interview family members, organize information, and utilize local resources. Proposes parent-child genealogical study sessions, field trips, and…

Suggests using primary sources in history and social studies instruction. Offers reasons for teaching with primary sources. Proposes activities for developing students' investigative skills. Includes lessons dealing with detecting source bias, differentiating sources, using conflicting sources, and evaluating sources. Presents varied…