Explores the role that symbolic-graphical calculators can play in the current calls for reform in the mathematics curriculum. Discusses symbolic calculators and graphing calculators in relation to problem solving, computational skills, and mathematics instruction. (MDH)

Discusses the history, development, and addition of the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution. Describes the role of delegates from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in this process. Includes a bibliography and suggestions for planning student assignments and activities on this topic. (CFR)

Describes a study that evaluated implementing a constructivist process approach to learning information skills in school library media programs. Training institutes for media specialists, a longitudinal case study, and the identification of inhibitors and enablers of successful programs are discussed. (Contains 13 references.) (EAM)

Presents a secondary level activity in which students participate in a decision-making activity involving the U.S. legal system and legal aid. Includes lesson objectives, step-by-step instructional procedures, and a student handout titled "Examining the Future of Legal Aid Programs." (CFR)

This study surveyed public school teachers to investigate their theoretical orientations toward teaching thinking and toward two views about the nature of thinking (content-oriented and skills-oriented). Results showed that less than one-fourth presented a clear content or skill orientation. Most had mixed views about the two theories. (SM)

Discusses roles and needed skills of systems analysts and describes a course developed at Massey University's (New Zealand) department of information systems that incorporated social and interpersonal skills as well as cooperative learning to promote higher level thinking skills. Learning strategies, teaching strategies, the teacher's role,…

Asserts that the rapid growth of the limited-English-proficient (LEP) student population has been a great challenge to social studies teachers. Proposes five reading and writing activities that actively involve LEP students in meaningful instructional tasks and encourage higher level thinking skills. (CFR)

Discusses the relationship of technology to school restructuring and describes new educational directions that incorporate technology and support restructuring. Topics discussed include higher order cognitive skills; long-range vision and planning; transdisciplinary education; metacognition; global stewardship; human values; lifelong learning;…

It was hypothesized that (1) classroom conduct problems decline with increasing moral maturity, and (2) Stage 1 and Stage 3 levels of moral reasoning are associated with fewer conduct problems. In a study involving fourth and eighth graders, children with moral reasoning at Stage 1 and Stage 3 had fewer conduct problems than other children. (LB)

Effects of a theoretically based LOGO programing environment on executive metacognitive abilities were studied for 48 third graders who took pretests and posttests after LOGO training or no training. The LOGO group scored higher than comparisons on two metacomponential measures: correctness of response and use of an individual metacomponent. (SLD)

Presents activities that utilize nature hikes to develop students' understanding of environment-related issues, observation skills, and critical thinking skills. Activities include alphabetizing observed objects, identifying objects by smell, observing ants, and a scavenger hunt. (MDH)

Assesses the state of U.S. education after a decade of debate about school improvement, and explores what research is teaching us about child development. Children develop a significant portion of their cognitive skills before they are old enough for Head Start, making early interventions crucial. (SLD)

Encourages the use of narratives and literature to teach social studies and develop students' cultural literacy as suggested by the 1988 California History-Social Science Framework. Applies these ideas to a second grade unit in which students read selected stories and conduct family history research projects. (NL)

Argues that exposing children to some of Lawrence Kohlberg's moral dilemmas, such as Helga's dilemma, may be pedagogically unsound at the elementary-school level. States sample responses provided are inappropriate, rigid, and self-righteous. Provides 10 reasons why this dilemma and its designated responses are of questionable morality. Claims…

Reports on a study of 124 secondary social studies teachers about the treatment of the 1991 Gulf War in their classrooms. Finds that, with few exceptions, knowledge about the war was provided by television news and other media and that students were not asked to conduct in-depth research or other critical thinking activities. (CFR)