Maintains that, before developing a curriculum to teach critical thinking in the social studies, it is necessary to conceptualize what critical thinking is. Discusses three definitions of critical thinking along with three strategies for teaching critical thinking. (CFR)

Surveys of teacher unions and school administrators examined teacher sexual abuse of elementary students in Ontario (Canada) 1987-92. Results indicate that accusations, charges, and convictions were few; the acquittal rate for teachers was high; and a number of teachers were falsely accused of sexual abuse each year. Includes administrator…

Addresses the question of whether it is possible for early years teachers to achieve understanding and appreciation of children's behavior and development without having insights into their own behavior and family backgrounds. Suggests that teachers must recognize the importance of their own backgrounds in how they look at children, teaching, and…

Contends that using art textbooks is a relatively new trend in art education. Reports on a survey about art textbook use among 64 art teachers involved in an in-service teacher education program. Concludes it is important that the art education field encourages, promotes, and supports research on the use of art textbooks. (CFR)

Explains how teachers can modify their behaviors to incorporate a multicultural approach in physical education. Gender, racial, and disability stereotypes are emphasized as problematic. Eight steps to incorporating an inclusive approach to physical education are provided. (SM)

Maintains that, to improvise successfully in music, students must have an understanding of the creative process. Presents teaching suggestions for encouraging creativity in music classes. Maintains that improvisation is an excellent method for students to explore and practice creativity. (CFR)

Maintains that nothing requires more meticulous preparation than guiding and supervising lessons in discovery and improvisation. Discusses the discovery learning techniques of the Orff-Schulwerk method of music instruction. Includes a teaching example based on the National Standards for Arts Education. (CFR)

In interviews with 74 adolescents, high-income adolescents reported fewer misbehaviors and more behaviors which were playful, whereas misbehaviors of low-income youth stemmed mainly from anger. Low-income adolescents reported a greater number and variety of penalties that seemed both disproportionate to offenses and humiliating in nature.…

Teacher's abilities to remain sufficiently faithful to predefined learning scenarios are examined via case studies. The behavior of 2 teachers during problem-solving sessions in geometry with 13-14 year olds exhibited 2 types of factors that tend to hamper scenario reproducibility: constraints on the teacher resulting from the teaching situation;…

Reports case studies using personal construct psychology and the logic of fuzzy sets to elucidate the content and organization of two elementary school teachers' knowledge of fractions and mathematical pedagogy. Results identified four personal constructions that affected classroom events; knowledge of fractions, general pedagogical knowledge,…

This article is concerned with the learning of mathematics before the commencement of formal schooling. Describes the experiences of two students from four main sets of data: formal and informal measures of mathematics achievement, the learning environment in the home, and observations during teacher-led sessions concerned with mathematical…

Describes the development of a scale for evaluating music student teachers' rehearsal effectiveness. Includes scale items representing aspects of rehearsal effectiveness for three interpretable factors: conducting technique, teacher-student rapport, and instructional skills. Advises that scaling of rehearsal effectiveness should be only part of a…

Presents study results exploring sensitivity of child and adult tutors in one-to-one tutoring interactions. Reports that adult tutors showed greater sensitivity than child tutors and were more likely to display behaviors that promoted efficient learning. Explores sensitivity to learner's need for sufficient information and to participate actively…

Presents a speech by the president of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), given at the organization's annual meeting. Discusses the national standards movement and contends that the NCSS standards integrate knowledge from the full spectrum of the social sciences and the humanities. (CFR)

Reports on a three-year study of the operational and formal curricula in the visual arts, music, drama, and dance. Discusses three operational types of art education: (1) the "little intervention" model; (2) the production-oriented curriculum; and (3) the guided-exploration orientation. (CFR)