Experiences of and exposures to violence impact older adolescents and young adults in a myriad of ways. While typically conceptualized as interpersonal, other forms of violence, namely structural and symbolic, can be harmful to development for this population. This study utilized qualitative methodologies, including ethnographic field notes and…

In Philadelphia, over 40% of youth are overweight or obese. The objective in this assessment was to learn about urban residents' perspectives regarding the local food environment and its impact on eating behaviors. Using photo-elicitation, 20 adolescents reflected on their food environments through photographs and corresponding interviews. Without…

Early literacy is a key predictor of grade-level reading and school success. Too often, however, young children do not have equitable access to literacy-rich environments that foster the skills needed to attain reading proficiency by the end of third grade. While high-quality preschool and early elementary programs are necessary early literacy…

Playful Learning Landscapes seeks to transform everyday spaces into playful learning opportunities to maximize "the other 80 percent" of time that children spend outside school. It lies at the intersection of the growing Child Friendly City movement and a global development agenda that calls for access to high-quality early childhood…

A course is described that involves a comparative study of Philadelphia rowhouses. Students each visit a house and complete its architectural drawing according to established guidelines. The drawings are later reduced and offset printed for sale. A series of exercises focuses on a number of design elements. (MSE)

This is the second published volume of the House Committee on the District of Columbia's hearings and findings on the problems of urban centers in America and the Federal government role. The earlier volume focused on Washington, D.C. as a central model and viewed urban problems very broadly. Based on findings presented in the earlier volume, the…

This environmental education community resource guide is an illustration of the rich potentialities offered by the child's immediate environment. Although the guide focuses on a Philadelphia community, it is written in such a format and approach for adaptation by other teachers in other localities. The goal of the guide is to broaden the teacher's…

A study of fatal and nonfatal interpersonal violence-related injuries over one year in a poor African-American community in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) reveals that violence-related injury is the most common injury type for persons aged 15-49 years. Results yield dramatic evidence of the extent of urban violence for adults and children. (SLD)

Describes the relationships between immigrants and established residents in one community in Philadelphia that is being affected by economic restructuring and suburbanization of wealth. A paradigm of host-guest relationship has emerged as established residents attempt to assert social control over newcomers with often higher educational levels and…

While the earth's geography is well known, vast sections of the human landscape are considered to be unsurveyed by scientific explores; In this monograph the world of black America is studied. The boundaries and patterns of a black neighborhood in inner Philadelphia are charted, and its behavioral and environmental characteristics identified. Such…

An assessment of welfare-related experiences and perspectives of Puerto Rican Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients in New York City (New York), Newark (New Jersey), and Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) was conducted. Data were developed through 8 self-contained focus groups involving 63 participants. An additional focus group was…

Two classes, each comprised of seventh and eighth grade students, are used to test the hypothesis that student participation in observing and solving real-life environmental problems increases positive changes in their attitudes toward school. Two methods of teaching urban environmental studies are used: an experimental community action approach…

West Chester University (Pennsylvania) set up a project designed to meet the seemingly diverse yet very similar needs of teacher education students and inner city children. Prospective teachers must begin to value and effectively serve more diverse populations, and the relationship between campus and the real world needs to be strengthened.…