A series of activities involving figurate numbers that allow students at various levels to integrate numerical, geometric, arithmetic, patterning, measuring, and problem-solving skills are presented. A discussion of the geometric and numerical aspects of figurate numbers is included. Appended are IBM Logo procedures that will create pentagonal…

This article presents activities for helping gifted students learn about caring, sharing, and charity, with projects in the areas of language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics. Teachers' notes are also included. (PB)

Discusses how to teach children about electricity via home projects involving electricity games. The concepts of circuits, conductors, and insulators are illustrated by having students build their own game boards. Instructions for making a telegraph and learning the Morse code are provided. (SM)

Presents a list of class activities for Black History Month to help students study African heritage. The activities listed, with appropriate grade levels, are storytelling, dances and games, crafts, posters, live-in history, movers and shapers, and a play. Each activity is explained in the pages that follow in this issue. (SM)

Presents storytelling as a way to teach students about African societies. The article explains how to teach storytelling and how to branch out into other related educational activities. A tale from Ghana suitable for bulletin-board use and a student activity page on African proverbs are included. (SM)

Presents guidelines for teaching students about African culture via dances and games and for developing related activities to expand student learning experiences. Student activity pages describe how to do the Ghana national dance and how to play Mankala, a popular African game. (SM)

Describes a read-aloud program, "Language to Literacy," now used in several Texas school districts. Describes how language charts are used to record ideas from stories, help recall other stories, and notice similarities and differences among stories. (MG)

Described are two examples involving recursive mathematical sequences designed to integrate a holistic approach to learning algebra. These examples promote pattern recognition with algebraic justification, full class participation, and mathematical values that can be transferred to other situations. (MDH)

Discusses the use of storytelling and interactive story building as a technique for effective social studies teaching. Describes Storyline, a structured approach to teaching and learning, in which the students and teacher create a story together. Emphasizes the broad coverage of social studies content and skills that is achieved with the method.…

Argues that the elementary social studies curriculum is based on unimportant and disconnected topics that are of little relevance or interest to students. Proposes a curriculum based on major social education goals such as shelter, citizen participation, and the appreciation of a multicultural society. Suggests seven steps teachers can use to…

Describes microfossils and explains how they can be collected from shale and limestone. Explains how to set up an interest corner in a classroom. (PR)

Reading instruction provided by classroom, remedial, and resource teachers (n=48) in six schools was observed. Findings showed that the three groups did not differ in the proportion of time devoted to management, discipline, or proactive teaching techniques. Comparable time was also devoted to comprehension, decoding, and indirect reading…

This article describes the philosophy, policies, and activities of the Nueva Learning Center for gifted and talented students. Features include personalized learning, a climate conducive to creativity, multiple educational options, community and human service involvement, and teacher training activities. Programs for language arts, science,…

Describes oral activities that help middle and junior high school students develop decision-making skills. The activities, based on Gary Paulsen's novel "Hatchet," focus on struggling for survival. Recommends "Hatchet" as a vehicle for observing the maturing process and for teaching skills that students can apply to their own…

This article discusses the advantages of using literature in language instruction with special needs students, outlines a process for developing instructional activities, suggests 19 specific books and related learning objectives and activities, and provides a lesson plan that illustrates the incorporation of direct instruction in a whole-language…