Described is a way that elemental mathematics can be applied to explain an astronomical phenomenon. The fact that the extreme of sunrise and sunset do not occur on the shortest or longest days of the year is analyzed using graphs and elementary calculus. (KR)

Presents classroom-tested teaching tips from 100 years of issues of "Instructor." Suggestions are made in the areas of language arts, social studies, science, math, writing, classroom management, bulletin boards and displays, art, general curriculum activities, and critical thinking skills. (SM)

Presents crafts projects to accompany the discussion of African tribes and their ceremonial items. The article describes how to create a ceremonial mask, ceremonial shield, goodbye cloth, and necklace. Background information is included for each item. (SM)

Presents suggestions for teaching math word problems to elementary students. The strategies take into consideration differences between reading in math and reading in other areas. A problem-prediction game and four self-checking activities are included along with a magic password challenge. (SM)

Six articles help elementary teachers cultivate students' critical thinking skills across the curriculum with activities like examining past predictions and future forecasting, exploring science via ice and snow, strengthening critical reading through visual clues, discussing prediction using mathematical patterns, and studying vision with a…

Examines aspects of Navajo cosmology relevant to understanding Navajo spatial representations. Compares Navajo children's spatial knowledge with Piaget's findings about the development of geometric concepts in Swiss children. Describes classroom activities whereby Navajo children explore the geometry inherent in their cultural and physical…

Presented are two ideas to improve instruction. The first celebrates the Christmas birthday of Isaac Newton with an essay assignment related to Newton and a party. The second suggests a more appropriate moment to introduce the technique of completing the square to promote greater flexibility in factoring problems. (MDH)

Presented are two activities that provide opportunity to review topics while integrating interests and developmental levels of middle and high school students. The first describes a take-off of the MTV game "Remote Control." The second, a problem-solving activity, organizes student movement from desk to desk, with students solving…

Presents two interdisciplinary lesson plans that explore options in energy production and conservation. Students study (1) the implications of power production and resources choices, and (2) producing and conserving electric power. (MCO)

Presents lessons on the geography of the desert designed to teach that different subjects are interrelated and dependant on each other. Explains that the goal was to help students understand that geography is a way of looking at the world not just a study of maps. Includes activities in reading, mathematics, art, and science. (DK)

Reports on study of teacher decision making regarding instruction about Gulf War. Finds teachers were influenced by student grade level, number of students in class from another culture, and their own knowledge of Middle Eastern history and geography. Concludes that local and state curriculum officials should provide more flexibility so teachers…

Describes a college level art history course based on the opposing concepts of Classicism and Romanticism. Contends that all creative work, such as film or architecture, can be categorized according to this bipolar model. Includes suggestions for objects to study and recommends this approach for art education at all education levels. (CFR)

Presents three teaching strategies requiring active student participation in which students (1) create and solve their own word problems; (2) generate trigonometric expressions to be solved by their classmates; and (3) act as points to model a basic locus of points. (MDH)

Presented is a set of mathematics problems associated with the characteristics, production, and consumption of chicken eggs. Student assignment sheets are included. (CW)

Discusses sketch maps that are free-hand maps drawn from memory that help to organize spatial information. Demonstrates how teachers can use sketch map activities in their classrooms and provides examples of students' maps that illustrate progressive levels of learning world place location. (DB)