Noting that nonfiction literature for children is plentiful, this book presents 16 essays by educators who write about selecting and sharing the best in nonfiction with elementary and middle school students. The ideas in the book progress from trends in nonfiction, criteria for selection, and nonfiction in specific curricular areas to use in the…

This book addresses the subject of integrating new technology in science instruction and is designed for pre-service teachers, inservice teachers, curriculum and instructional leaders, consultants, and designers of instructional materials for science. Examples for instructional practice lie within the elementary and middle level grade range while…

Agriscience teachers' perceptions of the impact of integrating science on their agricultural education program were examined through a survey of all 253 state, regional, and national winners of the National Future Farmers of America AgriScience Teacher of the Year Award Program in 1988-1995. The survey contained 38 Likert-type statements. Usable…

Noting that little in language can be understood without taking into consideration the wider picture of communicative purpose, content, context, and audience, this book address practical uses of various approaches to discourse analysis. Several assumptions run through the chapters: knowledge is socially constructed; the manner in which language…

This monograph contains 10 plant pathology experiments that were written to correspond to portions of a biology curriculum. Each experiment is suitable to a biology topic and designed to encourage exploration of those biological concepts being taught. Experiments include: (1) The Symptoms and Signs of Disease; (2) Koch's Postulates; (3)…

The purpose of this book is to suggest an alternative approach to the teaching of elementary science in light of more contemporary definitions of both reading and science. This method utilizes well-selected and conceptually and factually correct works of narrative children's literature. Although the method is most easily applied with picture books…

This paper describes a method for teaching introductory biology using a multimedia approach. This methodology aimed to increase student participation, promote independent learning, and enhance computer literacy. Five multimedia tools were used to teach the course. PowerPoint slide shows were used to present lecture material; videodiscs displayed…

This volume brings award-winning literature to all areas of the science curriculum. The lesson plan format includes the four stages of engagement, elaboration, exploration, and connection. Each story is followed by activities that make connections between literature, science, and the arts. Chapters include: (1) "Frog Went A-Courtin',"…

This study investigated the use of a hands-on laboratory program as a means of improving attitude toward science and increasing achievement levels in science knowledge among students in a ninth grade physical science course. Using a posttest-only control group design, a curriculum referenced objective final examination was used to measure student…

This report presents the results of a June 1996 conference held in Washington, DC to discuss the condition of science, mathematics, engineering and technology education (SMET). The meeting was conducted by the American Association of Community Colleges through a grant from the National Science Foundation. The goals of the meeting were to: (1)…

This guide features a problem-based learning (PBL) unit specifically designed for student-centered learning of new and meaningful content on diseases. Students grapple with a complex and changing problem that requires higher level thinking skills in an environment in which students work both individually and in collaboration with others. Includes…

This activity is designed to build creative skills based on an everyday problem. The scenario that sometimes packages are dropped and letters get bent is used. How can a special delivery be protected from such unfortunate mishaps? Students use their creative skills to determine a way to mail raw spaghetti. A way to safely package the raw spaghetti…

In this activity, students investigate the accuracy of sundials and the discrepancy that lies between "real time" and "clock time". The position of the sun is tracked over the course of a relatively short period of time as students make a shadow plot, a horizontal sundial, and a diptych sundial. This activity requires…

This laboratory manual introduces the idea of Green Chemistry, which is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Instructional samples are included to help teachers integrate green chemistry into the college chemistry curriculum. Each laboratory includes: (1) a…

Science educators often assume and expect that students who are actively engaged in scientific inquiry should develop more accurate understandings of science and the construction of scientific knowledge. However, this assumption, while intuitive, has not been validated. This paper reports on a study that sought to determine the impact of an 8-week…