Describes an American literature class project to save a covered bridge from collapse. Illustrates how student initiative in contacting government agencies and news media, learning the history of the bridge, and raising public awareness about the project led to a joint county agreement to preserve the historic span. (DHP)

Discusses teacher and principal attitudes toward implementation of the Foxfire approach on a school-wide basis at Rabun Gap Community School (Rabun, Georgia). Presents some of the student-generated experiential projects, including (1) developing and participating in Indian Day activities; (2) making and selling earrings; and (3) writing advice…

Two seventh and eighth grade teachers, trained in the Foxfire approach, describe class projects related to their rural school's 50-year history--oral history interviews with former students and teachers and the local historian, writing a book of school reminiscences, and organizing a school reunion. (SV)

This issue of "Hands On" compiles edited papers and workshop presentations from the national conference on cultural journalism and experiential learning projects in the Foxfire mode. The conference brought together 200 teachers, students, and professionals and offered technical workshops, presentation workshops about specific programs,…

Discusses classroom projects developed jointly by students and teacher in a sixth grade gifted class. Describes projects involving ghost stories, science research, interviewing authors, the local telephone book, and holiday celebrations. (DHP)

An elementary school principal describes successful Foxfire projects in his school; suggests that the Foxfire approach is a tool that teachers can use to improve preinstructional decisions, structure the learning environment, and integrate the curriculum; and discusses the principal's role in supporting effective alternative approaches to…

Describes experiences in career exploration in a third grade classroom based on the Foxfire approach to instruction. Students researched careers by writing letters and interviewing real career people. They also set up "junior businesses" in the classroom, which involved designing business cards and purchasing products to sell. Students…

A Catholic-school teacher of grades five and six reflects on her first year of teaching and describes how Foxfire training led her to introduce group decision making and planning into her classroom. Resulting class projects including a newspaper, a play, and a booklet of ghost stories are described. (SV)

A fifth grade teacher in a rural Kentucky school discusses three years of classroom experiences applying the Foxfire approach, focuses on the democratic decision-making process and the importance of student self-esteem, describes student-project problems and successes, and lists student accomplishments. (SV)

Describes the beginnings of the Foxfire instructional approach; its spread in eastern Kentucky, supported by the Eastern Kentucky Teachers Network; and its special relevance for rural and Appalachian children. Includes comments by teachers and students about their educational experiences and class projects. (SV)

Discusses a fourth grade class project to write a history of their community. Describes student experiences in learning to take and videotape interviews, preparing a TV newscast about the project, doing research in the county clerk's office and library, and writing the history. Includes suggestions for doing a similar project. (DHP)

Describes a high school project to compile a local history, including funding the project, developing interview questionnaires, taking interviews, and compiling the materials. Discusses results of the project for the students, teacher, high school, and county. (DHP)

Describes classroom projects in a second-grade classroom based on the Foxfire approach to instruction. Projects planned and implemented in the classroom by students included: (1) sub shop; (2) recycling; (3) Black cemetery; and (4) garden. Students engaged in brainstorming, creating webs, weekly planning, and writing about their activities. (KS)

Describes the implementation of the Foxfire approach with high school special education students. Over a two-year period, students researched and wrote a book of local career options. Discusses the process of brainstorming, interviewing, writing, compiling, and editing the book. Students presented their experiences at several professional…

Discusses using interdisciplinary classroom projects planned jointly by students and teacher in a language arts based gifted program for students in grades K-6. Describes projects based on the study of teddy bears and real bears, publicizing National Children's Book Week, and conducting a study of the students' school and community.(DHP)