A great companion to the original "Social Studies through Children's Literature," this teacher's handbook gives theoretical support for integrating social studies and literature disciplines and serves as an instructional guide for classroom use. The guide is divided into two parts: (1) "Children's Literature in the Social Studies…

This study examined the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) in a foundational teacher education course at Alabama's Samford University. It measured students' attitudes within the university and in the teacher education course. All undergraduate students were asked to complete a "Student Attitude and Activities Assessment…

This paper discusses critical questioning (i.e., Socratic questioning) as a requirement for critical thinking and examines how critical questioning techniques can be incorporated into a technology-based course. A taxonomy of Socratic questioning is presented that includes the following categories of questions: questions of clarification; questions…

Med-Start is a 5-week program that encourages rural, minority, and economically disadvantaged high school seniors throughout Arizona to pursue careers in the health professions. In order to assist these students in making the transition from high school to college and then to professional school, Med-Start provides academic coursework and seeks to…

This study examines the changes in students' conceptual thinking and problem solving abilities. Conceptual thinking skills and problem solving abilities are important factors for medical school applicants as diagnosis and treatment procedures strongly depend on these skills. Underrepresented minorities in medicine is a concern in United States,…

Building on the scientific and investigative knowledge that students acquire over the years, this program delves deeper into the theory of "science as inquiry". This program helps students recognize the intricate relationship between explanation and evidence through engaging examples. Students trace the path of scientific inquiry--guided by…

This book consists of two complete units on soil. The first unit is created for lower elementary students and the second one is for upper elementary grade levels. The units are designed for gifted students and encourage students to be responsible for their own education. Each unit is based on an interdisciplinary approach. Suggestions for…

This unit of study (for grades 5-8 and up) about the U.S. Civil War features original documents from the National Archives and Records Administration. All the records used in the unit reflect the actions of the federal government or citizens' responses to these actions. These records were selected for their historical value, their legibility and…

In the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina) Public Schools, thousands of gifted children are tackling challenging, real-world problems correlated with curricular expectations. This gifted program fuses three philosophies: multiple-intelligences theory, problem-centered learning, and a thoughtful atmosphere to foster critical and creative…

Traces change in conception of gravity in a boy from kindergarten until second grade, focusing on the process by which persons restructure ideas that differ from accepted scientific understandings, and acquire scientific ideas. Provides criteria for defining an alternative conception; suggests how conditions in the initial interview may have…

Provides an in-depth look at what it means to be scientifically literate. Argues that if teachers are going to help students achieve true scientific literacy, they must agree upon a definition and reach a common understanding of the nature of scientific literacy. (DDR)

Presents an activity involving the use of students' birth dates. Activity includes a classic binary representation of numerical values. In the Green Machine, Sorting Cards, and Window Cards, students observe, describe, and analyze patterns. (PVD)

A study of 40 medical students assessing the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) determined that cognitive measures associated with expert performance can be used to distinguish students who have participated in PBL from their counterparts in terms of knowledge, reasoning, and learning strategies. Includes a case study of an 11-year-old…

Explores the influences of text structure on students' conceptual change. Case studies were conducted and results showed that individuals used refutational text to change their alternative conceptions and acquire new concepts. Findings indicate that refutational text does cause cognitive conflict. While refutational text is effective for groups,…

This study examined whether undergraduate athletic training educators wrote learning objectives that fostered critical thinking (CT) skills and whether their written assignments and examinations measured the extent to which students developed CT skills. Review of 64 usable syllabi indicated that educators fostered more CT in learning objectives…