Inservice approaches to curriculum development for teachers of gifted students should emphasize the approach. Teachers should understand thinking skills so that they can help pupils think efficiently and then express those thoughts. (CL)

The intent of this article is to explain the use of problem-solving as a curriculum theme in nursing education. (Author)

This paper outlines the increasing prospects for improving the problem solving component of future mathematics programs. Of particular interest is the development of a viable growth schema for general problem solving strategies and skills. The plan presented here provides for five levels of problem solving sophistication. The main body of the…

Although the goals of critical thinking are to foster critical ability and broad-mindedness, it tends to encourage absolutism, promote passivity, and breed intolerance. The current concentration on critical thinking's reductionism should be balanced with the teaching of alternative approaches to understanding knowledge and reality. (Author/LB)

After two decades of efforts at curriculum reform, the United States has yet seriously to embark on the task of developing an active learning approach to mathematics in the elementary schools. (Author)

If the political science discipline is to succeed in conveying sound intelligence to the policy process and in providing training for students in nonacademic careers, major curriculum reforms will be needed. A policy science track with emphasis on applied policy analysis research skills and nonacademic career orientation should supplement the…

Instruction in thinking skills is possible and desirable, but educators must guard against assumptions that undermine the process. Eight fallacies that obstruct the teaching of critical thinking skills are presented. (MD)

Discusses the three counterforces that work against teaching art in the schools: (1)students' naive concepts; (2) schooling's neglect of intelligent behavior; and (3) counterproductive disciplinary procedures. Presents the concept of "invisible art" used to teach an experimental course in art appreciation. Includes extensive references. (MD)

Current syllabi and textbooks, in trying to cover every important idea, trivialize them all. The Coalition of Essential Schools believes that students will learn more if teachers are allowed to cover less. The advantages of a slower, thought-provoking curriculum, and recommendations for designing one, are provided. (BJV)

Presents examples that recognize young children's technological prowess and support the case for including two significant curriculum perspectives: an intellectual-processes perspective and a social-expression perspective. Contains 34 references. (Author/PVD)

This paper proposes that curriculum theorists replace abstract language with more descriptive terms in order to achieve productive criticism, and it examines issues inherent in such a change. American educational discourse, traditionally focused on technical rationales, encourages theorizing, but a descriptive, aesthetic rationale might facilitate…

Presents the idea of enhancing the humane values of elementary students by taking another perspective. Outlines a number of children's books for use with the development of the concept of justice. Gives insight into the risks of perspective taking by discussing the inadequacies of projection in understanding others. (KO)

This four-part report from the Harvard Social Studies Project describes a secondary school curriculum based on an analysis of public controversy and developed to train students to examine, through discussion and argument, the kinds of disputes that cause social conflict. The first part of the report is a discussion of the curriculum approach which…

Many influential reviewers refuse to consider the central ideas and recommendations of Ravich and Finn in "What Do Our 17-Year Olds Know?" and Hirsch in "Cultural Literacy." One hopes this will not continue: the willingness of academicians to openly debate the problems and opportunities of improving our schools is crucial to…

Identifies areas of knowledge that differ between successful and at-risk students: sense of self-as-learner, level of understanding of problems in subjects, and ability to interact in relationships. Suggests a hands-on project to develop problem-solving abilities and self-confidence. Discusses objectives for a restructured curriculum. (DK)