This fact sheet about students who are deaf-blind provides information on orientation and mobility (O&M) training. It begins by describing orientation and mobility skills, and emphasizes the need for a team approach in the development and implementation of O&M instruction. Instructional strategies are described, including initial assessment of O&M…

In a fifth-grade transitional bilingual class in Hartford (Connecticut), a project was conducted to focus on writing to learn in science. The process of writing facilitates development of critical thinking, deepens understanding of science content, and develops collaborative learning skills. The example of a set of lessons on the skeleton…

Provided are examples of science/society scenarios for biology, chemistry, and physics classes, as well as those of an interdisciplinary nature. These scenarios present some social or ethical problems related to the discipline and pose questions for student discussions. (Includes description of a project involved in developing/piloting such…

Examines traditional Native Americans' emphasis on the value of understanding the learning process and a holistic curriculum and the Native Americans' perspective toward teaching and learning. Discusses how contemporary educators can learn from a traditional Native American learning model. (LC)

If universities were serious about enhancing student learning, they would explore other ways of organizing work, including reorganization of the curriculum into learning communities that enable learning to span the disciplines, creating classrooms that promote collaborative learning experiences, and using forms of assessment that encourage shared…

Examines social aspects of literacy learning; presents some thoughts on reading development and literacy instruction. Suggests that teachers should promote literacy by incorporating students' interests in their activities. Developing chat rooms, posting messages on the Internet, and making a radio play for younger students all provide meaningful…

Outlines a thematic approach to a U.S. history survey course that focused on the struggles and achievements of women. Covers cultural images of femininity and beauty as well as political and economic issues. Includes brief biographies of Eliza Pinckey, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul. (MJP)

Defines the role of the music specialist in designing and implementing a discipline-based music education program. Discusses team teaching and other collaborative efforts between the specialist and the classroom teacher. Includes a discipline-based teaching checklist and selected readings for thematic teaching. (MJP)

Examines specific approaches and strategies for teaching discipline-based music education (DBME). DBME incorporates history, aesthetics, and criticism into traditional music education. Discusses creating a DBME unit, what questions to ask, and what resources to use. Includes a sample approach. (MJP)

Maintains that historical fiction provides children with the opportunity to vicariously live the events of the past, learn about their heritage, and develop a sense of the sweep of history. Recommends several books covering different historical periods and includes related instructional activities. (MJP)

Defines global education as learning about those problems and issues that cut across national boundaries and the interconnectedness of systems--ecological, economic, cultural, political, and technological. Briefly reviews some of the issues and approaches of global education. Includes a list of 11 suggestions for creating global awareness in…

Observes the pitfalls and possibilities of using feature films as educational tools for religious exploration. Praises film for its ability to synthesize a number of cultural, moral, and narrative elements. Lists several simplistic and reductionist approaches to be avoided. (MJP)

Reports on a teaching method that combined assigned daily newspaper readings with weekly informal journal writing to teach basic sociological concepts. Assigned journal topics acted as a link between class material, the newspaper stories, and other texts. Student response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Provides several examples of the journal…

Demonstrates a thematic approach, using soup as the theme, to integrate and correlate elementary social studies with other subject areas. Outlines four soup activities, presenting goals, materials, strategies, and extensions of each. Stresses how integrated curricula effectively develops skills such as observing, inferring, serial ordering, and…

Described is the Issue Analysis Technique designed to educate students about the various beliefs and values held by the people on various sides of a controversial science-related social issue. The background of the technique, procedures, and curricular goals are discussed. An example is provided. (CW)