Community-related activities, such as interviewing long-time residents, checking primary sources, identifying and mapping historical sites, studying local artists and craftspeople, writing a community profile, using different media, and organizing a school/community week can help establish greater relevance and meaning for rural students. (MH)

Place-based education roots learning in real issues and needs and helps students become both academic achievers and good citizens. This article profiles programs in five states that are fostering academic achievement. The Alaska Rural Systemic Initiative (AKRSI) links Alaska Native culture and indigenous knowledge with the formal educational…

Economic liberalization and the rise of global competition have increased the importance of agricultural, technical, and business skills for small farmers in Brazil. However, many rural farmers are unable to attend agricultural technical schools due to low educational attainment. The first section of this paper discusses the impact that…

This paper describes a computer integration project implemented with two sixth-grade social studies classes. First it outlines and discusses the following goals: (1) integrate technology meaningfully into the classroom setting; (2) supplement the existing social studies curriculum; (3) enable students to learn to use computers responsibly; and (4)…

The project approach to teaching allows children to explore a topic in depth and document his or her learning. This guide for teachers shows how good project work can address challenges faced by early childhood teachers, such as overcoming ill effects of poverty, or responding to children with special needs. The book provides guidelines for…

Rich educational environments encourage students to construct their own knowledge, to solve problems collaboratively, and to heighten their interest and motivation to continue to learn. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study that investigated the formation of collaborative problem solving through social interaction during a…

Early Childhood Research & Practice (ECRP), a peer-reviewed, Internet-only journal sponsored by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE), covers topics related to the development, care, and education of children from birth to approximately age 8. ECRP emphasizes articles reporting on practice-related…

Working on an open-ended task such as designing an engineering artifact is a rich learning experience for students, although they generally receive little direct guidance and instruction from their professors. In order to be successful on such a task, students need to set reasonable goals for themselves and adopt intrinsic standards for success so…

In view of the fact that some government agencies and businesses are now using flexitime work schedules, particularly for clerical workers, the author suggests projects and study for office education teachers in their office procedures classes to help students prepare for integrating work with personal life. (MF)

Explores the concept of outcomes-based education using authentic assessment. Highlights implications for information literacy using the following electronic products: newspaper or magazine simulation, videotape production, computer-aided design (CAD), multimedia presentation, and Web page publication. Suggests ways to integrate assessment in the…

Describes the use of simple projects to help freshmen-level chemistry students develop chemical knowledge and an aptitude for the research process. These projects pose a new problem to students without presenting a detailed experimental procedure. Guiding questions help students design their own experiments and stimulate students to think…

Describes strategies and learning activities designed to create connections between students' feelings and historical incidents. The interdisciplinary activities often combine novels, writing assignments, and guest speakers. The students also conduct mock trials concerning historical issues and conduct their own research. (MJP)

Presents an activity in which students create presidential prints using a technique called linoleum printmaking. Discusses the process for creating the prints in detail and states that the students also do research about the president whom they selected. Includes a list of learning objectives and presidential facts. (CMK)

Profiles Active Citizenship Today (ACT), a social studies service learning program for middle and high school students. In ACT, students explore their community, identify problems, examine public policy, explore their options, and take action. Includes unit excerpts from the ACT teacher's handbook. (MJP)

Briefly describes a service-learning grant program and provides examples of elementary, middle, and high school projects awarded grants in 1996. Projects included efforts to educate the community about river pollution, multicultural murals, and a school activities news show. Includes application form and general guidelines and suggestions. (MJP)