Describes a three-week workshop involving 20 teachers and 40 female students, grades 3 through 8, who worked in small groups to use the LEGO TC logo program, an approach that integrates mathematics and science instruction. Discussion includes the impact of single-sex, small group work on student attitudes toward mathematics and science. (six…

Maintains that, although courts have ruled that poor people accused of crimes must be provided legal services, most court cases involve civil law. Presents a secondary school lesson in which students review 11 mock civil court cases and decide whether or not free legal counsel should be provided. (CFR)

Outlines the advantages and disadvantages of using a single textbook in a college-level economic geography course. Argues that, if a course text is used thoughtfully, the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages. Asserts that students must take greater responsibility for their own learning and develop independent inquiry skills. (CFR)

Reforms in American schools should concentrate on the development of higher-order skills and on assessments that support them. Reform should move beyond conventional tests that are of little use to students. Applications of cognitive psychology in the real world, including cognitive apprenticeships and interactive learning environments, are…

Heightened demand for testing is seen as a function of public skepticism regarding the quality of public education. Discusses developments and trends in the following areas: (1) minimum competency testing versus higher order skills testing; (2) kindergarten and first grade readiness testing; (3) portfolio-based assessment; and (4) teacher…

Argues that critical thinking is best learned where fellow students respond and react as well as replicate and evaluate. Suggests methods and techniques for doing critical thinking. Discusses thesis formulation, concept application, judgments and conclusions, cause and effect relationships, criteria identification, structure and function,…

Presents a summary of the findings of an 18-month longitudinal study which examined how foreign language teachers' conceptions of their classroom practice developed as they participated in an inservice teacher education program. Discusses how shared professional discourse helped increase the complexity of their thinking. (SM)

Stipulates that critical thinking requires classroom environments mutually created by social studies students and teachers. Suggests empowerment and cooperative learning become more than buzz words in environments conducive to critical thinking. Provides a list of questions for students and teachers to examine their roles in creating democratic…

Describes characteristics of "experts," arguing that community college students need to become expert learners. Discusses expert learners' types of knowledge, use of comprehension monitoring, motivation, and self-regulation. Discusses "direct instruction" and "metacurriculum" approaches for teaching learning-to-learn strategies. Reviews…

Provides a six-part lesson plan for use in secondary U.S. history classes. Illustrates the development of higher-order reading, writing, and thinking skills in assignments and projects dealing with the history of westward expansion. Specific skills addressed are comparison, contrast, prediction, and evaluation. Recommends cooperative learning…

Maintains that using both formal and informal writing assignments is an effective method for learning social studies content. Discusses positive outcomes of writing such as acquiring tools for independent learning, identifying bias, and enhancing thinking skills. Provides suggestions for writing assignments and evaluation. (CFR)

Maintains that achieving the social studies goal of helping children make good decisions about their world requires data interpretation. Includes activities and accompanying charts for classroom activities that combine social studies content and data interpretation and classification skills. (CFR)

Contends that a number of music educators believe that music should be taught in the same rigorous, sequential, and comprehensive way that other subjects are taught. Asserts that critical thinking skills and interpretation are essential factors in this process. Recommends cooperative learning and portfolios as appropriate instructional strategies.…

Reports on a study of 350 student teachers and the use of a preservice training course on effective instruction. Findings indicate that student teachers who used the recommended instructional methods elicited more student engagement and were rated higher by student teaching supervisors. (CFR)

Describes the use of practical rationality from the vantage point of a graduate student and an elementary teacher in an urban school. Discusses how using the approach led to revised policies regarding reading strategies and discipline. Contends that practical argument philosophy can be useful in practical classroom applications. (CFR)