Discusses the concept of participatory citizenship in a democracy. Describes the origin and development of the Close Up Foundation, which sponsors study trips for secondary students to Washington, D.C. Asserts that the teaching methods and materials used in the program promote effective learning and citizen participation. (CFR)

Offers 3 teaching designs developed for 12- to 16-year-old pupils taking into account personal differences in gender, culture, knowledge, and use of calculators. The designs concern the representation of three-dimensional objects in the plane, directions and great circles on the sphere, and exploration of the integrating calculator. (Contains 31…

Presents a learning activity in which the location of National Football League teams are used to explain geographic concepts. Contends that geography presented in most history textbooks is limited primarily to simple name-place identification. Provides maps and teaching suggestions to help students understand spatial perspective and historical…

Reports on a study of two secondary teachers who used the practical reasoning or practical argument approach to classroom management. Finds that practical argument techniques can benefit teachers by providing opportunities to question and revise their theories of learning and teaching. Recommends that teacher education programs employ the…

Describes using the movie "Jurassic Park" as a foundation for a middle school interdisciplinary unit involving science, math, language arts, history, and geography. Suggested books and activities are presented. (PR)

Examined the effects of implementing the criterion-referenced assessment system on the views of year 10 students and teachers in 2 schools. Students and teachers were generally positive toward these methods of assessment. There was some sex bias in aspects of the system with females performing better on skill assessments than males. (MDH)

Describes a course for graduate science education students in the history, philosophy, and nature of science. Topics addressed include the course motivation and evolution; aims, topics, and goals; organization and instructional methodology; a reading list; projects; and grading and evaluation. (PR)

Provides a series of five classroom activities designed to teach about the interaction of culture and law in India. Explains that the tension between constitutional democracy and ancient traditions represents a serious challenge to India. Includes a map, four student readings, and a list of eight resources. (CFR)

Types of questions asked in first-grade mathematics classes in Japan, Taiwan, and the United States were investigated. Observations of 311 lessons by 16 Japanese, 20 Taiwanese, and 33 U.S. teachers suggest that the kinds of questions asked in Taiwan and Japan contribute to more sophisticated mathematical knowledge. (SLD)

Summarizes a study that maintains that students who work together in small groups had a better understanding of map concepts. Discusses why making maps in groups can enhance students' conceptual geographic understanding and offers suggestions for improving geography instructions using small group configurations. Includes statistical and graphic…

Among factors affecting African-American males' academic achievement, student/faculty relationships are vital. Using theory-based teaching strategies, faculty can support student success by designing in-class experiences to incorporate racial-identity development activities. The classroom should be a safe space for expression of personal…

A study examined disparity and resulting conflict in learning and teaching styles of high school teachers (n=29) and students (n=299) in South African province. The majority of teachers were intuitive and introverted, preferring abstract ideas and independent work, while students tended to be concrete-sequential and extroverted, needing direct…

Demonstrates how introducing students to African literature can appeal to their imaginations and encourage them to develop their insights into African culture. Outlines the procedures in a middle school class where the students are transformed into anthropologists as they read Chinua Achebe's, "Things Fall Apart." (MJP)

Investigated the effects of mathematics methods courses that used manipulatives, technology, and cooperative learning on preservice mathematics teachers' meaningful mathematical content knowledge and attitudes toward mathematics. Pre- and postintervention student teacher surveys indicated that there were significant increases in content knowledge…

Relational education addresses social as well as academic aspects of student development. The core elements of relational education as used in the Community School, a Maine alternative high school, are trust, paying respectful attention, teacher-student relationships, a sense of belonging, student responsibility for behavior and physical plant…