This teacher's guide complements the primary source kits that support the study of history in the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each primary source selected for the kits, whether it be a photograph, a broadside, a map, or a private letter, reflects a meaningful part of Maryland and U.S. history. The kit may be used to: introduce new…

This report describes a study that investigated the relationship between mental imagery and problem solving in physics, specifically in kinematics. A distinction is made between visual imagery and spatial imagery used in solving physics problems. The results of this study indicate that while spatial imagery may promote problem solving success, the…

This paper presents a reasoning taxonomy to explain reasoning objectives, strategies, and habits available to the advanced thinker. It begins by explaining the first part of the taxonomy, objectives of reasoning, including the need for skilled thinkers to reason with a purpose and to understand how the world works so that they can engage with it.…

This practicum was designed to increase student exposure to literature enrichment opportunities, to further develop student understanding and appreciation of literature, and to intensify the long-lasting effects of literature study and enrichment. A diverse literature enrichment program was designed and was presented to the 35 students enrolled in…

During the past five years there has been new research into the teaching of history to children. Many educators are advocating once again the teaching of history through concepts. This elementary school unit uses the concept approach to teaching history. The lesson examines the concept of war and wars' impact on the lives of a variety of people.…

This paper is a part of a research program whose purpose it is to design instruction for scaffolding classroom inquiry in middle school classrooms. Scaffolding is a dynamic process, reflecting teacher adjustments based on student responses. Even though a computer, textbook, or laboratory materials may serve as proxy for a "teacher", arguably the…

This research explores the structure of possible science education reform that can be compatible with structural change in high schools. Financial pressures, increased or decreased enrollment, state mandated changes, block scheduling, and assignments of students to age-appropriate grades are all examples of structural changes. Block scheduling is…

This learning module aims to engage students in problem solving, critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and cooperative learning. The module is appropriate for use in any introductory or intermediate undergraduate course that focuses on human-environment relationships. The module stresses the key principals, concepts, and problems in the emerging…

Acting as a sliding signifier, the term "critical thinking" has been bandied about for years now by educators who often ascribe widely varying meanings to it. Researchers and writers mainly stress the "thinking" half of the phrase, often leaving unexamined what it means to be "critical." Those in the fields of critical pedagogy and critical…

Although an increasing number of young people encounter adversity in their environments, many manage to rebound and live successful lives while others repeat patterns of adversity in their adult lives. Classroom educators and special educators should therefore establish a learning environment that builds resilience in all learners. Educational…

Not only does science personally affect lives through the physical world, medicine, and technology, but it's also at the heart of some of the thorniest ethical issues a society faces. From global warming to stem cell research, nuclear capabilities, and the depletion of fossil fuels, the citizens of the 21st century will be called upon to make…

Used a Piagetian model to examine five 4-year-olds' perceptions of the reality of television characters. Found that children understand that television images are representations with varying degrees of relationship to reality and that children used a number of strategies for judging the extent to which characters were "real," such as…

Provides a brief index of what is being thought and supported in efforts to formulate a new framework for general education in the sciences. Explains that the goal is to find science curricula with the aim of preparing young people for responsible citizenship in a democratic society. (DDR)

Current educational philosophy places strong emphasis on student portfolios. One way to develop a pool of items for potential inclusion in the mathematics portfolio is to have students keep a working portfolio in the form of a notebook. The notebook builds a base from which students can expand existing knowledge and develop higher-level thinking…

A word problem concerning weights of a pail containing different amounts of nails appeared in January 1997 issue of Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School. Teachers were invited to try the problem with classes and submit examples of students' work with a brief analysis. This article contains three student solutions. Argues that posing such…