The secret to teaching may be as simple as asking students good questions--and then giving them the opportunity to find the answers. The author shares how he uses essential questions that set the class off on an inquiry. Rather than consuming information that he distributes and then repeating it on a test, students carry out their own…

A primary/intermediate starter unit which explores circus life and history is presented. Activities range from constructing a circus time line beginning in ancient Rome to research on the treatment of animals by circuses. (MT)

This article contains ideas for turning a language arts center into an imaginary underwater playground. Activities involving poems, riddles, and word play are suggested, as are questions to investigate and art projects. (MT)

Presents a number of Columbus Day activities which concern both Columbus and the other early explorers of North and South America. (SJL)

Two units of study are presented as part of a series about the richness of democracy. The primary unit is aimed at students understanding that voting is a privilege and a responsibility. The intermediate unit helps students realize that Americans have the right to seek redress of a grievance. (MT)

An imaginary journey to Planet Seven is used to introduce the concept of number systems not based on ten. Activities include making a base 7 chart, performing base 7 addition and subtraction, designing Planet Seven currency, and developing other base systems for other planets. (MT)

Orthodontic braces and how they work are discussed. A science unit and task card on teeth is provided. (MT)

Presents four ready-to-use fables by Arnold Lobel, plus classroom activities and insights from the author. (Editor/SJL)

Plastic Easter eggs are useful devices for teaching basic mathematics skills, from counting activities to graphing. Eggs are used to reinforce addition, subtraction, and multiplication skills; column addition, estimation, statistics, and other topics are introduced. Sample activities are described. (JL)

Two units of study on snowflakes, one a starter unit and one advanced, are offered. Classification activities for learning about snowflakes are included. (MT)

This writing unit with a Halloween theme includes exercises and worksheets to develop prewriting, writing, and rewriting skills. (SJL)

Suggests science activities for a unit on goldfish, including experiments investigating reactions of fish to light, sound, current and temperature. (CM)

This integrated, cross-curricular theme unit has children become immersed in the equine world as they broaden their vocabulary, participate in hands-on science and math, explore art, become aware of the horse's important role in history, and learn about good grooming. A student reproducible, a poetry poster, and a poster on the coloring of horses…