This article discusses how museum settings can provide opportunities for sensory and aesthetic encounters and learning. It draws on research into museum education programmes that included examinations of curatorial construction and display, observations of teaching and open-ended interviews with museum educators. The examples selected here focus…

Designed for elementary school teachers in Santa Cruz, California, this book outlines an experiential approach to community study. Because the term community can encompass a scope as narrow as the school or as wide as the region, these guidelines are adaptable to several elementary grade levels. The book is arranged in six sections. The first…

An innovative graduate course in education devoted to the development of techniques utilizing direct experience in the history curriculum, the 6-weekend course took a level of local cultural history each weekend, showed how that culture related to and changed the land, and whenever possible, communicated that with experiential learning. (NQ)

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,…

Suggests ways in which adventure educators can use heritage interpretation in the wilderness setting to promote understanding of the history and significance of events, people, and objects linked to particular places. Factors to consider include creating interpretive lessons, training trip leaders to conduct them, and evaluating their effect on…

Describes introductory social studies unit which involves fifth grade Adams (Nebraska) students in concrete experiences (scavenger hunt) with their local environment to enable them to relate difficult social science concepts with familiar points of reference, reverse student negativism toward social studies, and motivate students to view social…

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)

Advocates conducting oral history projects as part of elementary school social studies programs. Outlines key steps for incorporating oral history projects including determine a focus; identify local residents to interview; practice interviewing techniques; exchange information; and create booklets. Lists research resources. Stresses the…

Discusses the goals and planning of a scavenger hunt which was designed to increase enthusiasm in students and promote active learning. States that a scavenger hunt instills a sense of community pride in students and that the community cooperation fosters a positive relationship with the school. Provides a sample scavenger hunt checklist. (GEA)

Presents "C.U.B.E.: Creating Understanding of the Built Environment," a unit focusing on a community's built environment. Discusses the interdisciplinary goals of the unit. Provides four samples of activities from within the unit. (CFR)

This theme issue of "Educational Foundations" presents five articles on topics ranging from moral concern in matters such as textbook controversies to the politics of society. Additionally, three of the articles focus on the teaching and learning of adults. Kenneth D. Benne's article, "Toward a Moral Basis for Politics and a Political Basis for…

An alternative school in southern Oregon that allows students to make up missing credits offers project-based thematic classes that take students outside the school. One course studied the Klamath Basin's water crisis and involved exploring the area and the perspectives of farmers, biologists, park rangers, and Native Americans. Courses culminate…

Heritage education is an interdisciplinary, interactive approach to examining the historical and cultural evidence of heritage that remains in neighborhoods, community, and regions. This paper seeks to answer some basic questions about heritage education, including: What is it? What are heritage educators seeking to accomplish? Is there a right…

Provides a concise introduction to the integration of oral history projects into the social studies classroom. Identifies five goals for student use of oral history: content acquisition, skill development, affective growth, historical understanding, and content production. Includes interviewing techniques, related web sites, and teaching…