Presents elementary school science activities with a Halloween orientation. One activity teaches students to appreciate and understand bats. A second activity has students group and classify monsters by individual characteristics. Activities for integrating science across the curriculum include creating monster myths, conducting surveys of…

Presents suggestions to help elementary school teachers incorporate journal writing in math class, discussing a math journal's many uses (problem solving, process prompts, language experience, and class discussion) and explaining how to respond to what students write in their journals. A sidebar explains how to create a system for storing…

Describes how to use journal writing in elementary science classes. Writing lets children communicate observations and ideas while reinforcing understanding of key science concepts. Journal ideas include using notebooks to respond to teacher prompts or write about what students are studying; sharing a classroom science journal; and keeping a…

This special section describes one elementary school's Art and Artists theme, which allows students to study art across the curriculum. Various types of projects are described, including a classroom art museum, self-portrait painting, writing about art, scientific drawing, and a study of shapes. A pullout presents examples of student work. (SM)

Using story-writing to teach math gives students a chance to play with mathematical processes in a low-pressure way. By encouraging students to apply math concepts within a narrative, teachers can see how well students understand the concepts. The article presents five story-making activities to enhance mathematics skills. (SM)

Primary students can learn about computation and estimation by reading a story about the use of money, then following up with estimation and calculation activities. Intermediate students can explore the relationship between addition and multiplication using a computation game, collaborating on when, how, and why they use addition and…

Writing during math supports students' learning as they clarify their ideas and highlight what they understand. This article presents math and writing strategies, answers to common questions, various math writing assignments, and math activities that lead to writing. (SM)

Elementary across-the-curriculum ideas include hands-on science activities that investigate animal survival, civics education via bicycle safety instruction, writing skills development by illumination, and math instruction by reading a story then solving problems. An end-of-the-year theme unit has students read poems then play related games. (SM)

Presents several across-the-curriculum activities for elementary teachers. Math activities include reading a book and dividing with beans. Science activities teach about caves and about the weather. A writing activity explains how to inspire students to write good stories. An art activity focuses on Chinese landscapes. (SM)

This supplement offers 10 articles focusing on middle school education. Topics include remembering adolescence, resources and teaching tips, active middle school students, adolescent development, challenges in middle school education, integrated studies, planning middle school special events, a writing-science-consumerism miniunit on popcorn,…

Across-the-curriculum articles focus on four areas. A math activity describes optical illusions and the properties of shapes. A hands-on science activity presents the chemistry of secret messages. A writing lesson helps students capture the essence of character. An art lesson presents a project on medieval castles. (SM)

Middle school teachers can integrate math and language skills with an innovative project that puts math on display. The "Math Museum" has students visit exhibits (colorfully illustrated math problems) in pairs, then discuss ways to approach and solve each problem on display. (SM)

Presents four articles for elementary teachers. The first shows how teachers can guide students to write stories from personal experiences. The second offers suggestions for mathematics instruction, focusing on primary level geometry and intermediate level problem solving. The third focuses on folk-art barn paintings. The fourth uses pumpkins to…

Five articles offer suggestions for hands-on map making, creative writing instruction in productive environments, assessment of students' number sense, performance assessment for reading, and integrating science and art to celebrate the beauty of autumn leaves. (SM)

Describes an interdisciplinary survival project that piques middle school students' imaginations as it tests their problem solving and critical thinking skills in a survival setting. The futuristic time travel project integrates subject areas and fosters skills in communication, cooperation, and group decision making. (SM)