Presents an interdisciplinary instructional unit focusing on the Mayan Civilization. Describes the use of interactive story telling and guided imagery to heighten student interest and involvement. Provides suggestions for using these methods to teach about other countries or civilizations. (CFR)

Presents a plan for developing and teaching an interdisciplinary curriculum unit combining social studies/social science and English/language arts. Argues that an integrated curriculum based on history and social studies is the key to an effective interdisciplinary unit. Provides suggested resources and instructional ideas. (CFR)

Presents Gold Rush Day, an annual eight-week project emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach for fourth graders. Describes the preparation and implementation of the project. Includes a description of interdisciplinary learning achievements. (CFR)

Describes a school districtwide program in which secondary students produced operas as part of the regular and extracurricular curricula. Details events dating from 1985 illustrating the growth and development of the program. Contends that the program was an intellectually rewarding experience and an excellent public relations activity for the…

Suburban Chicago middle school teachers designed a month-long unit to foster global education, guided by research on integrated, self-selected, and collaborative learning strategies. Teachers initiated brainstorming activities, grouped students by interest, and demonstrated how to be investigative researchers, informative writers, effective…

The University of Miami (Florida) has both institutional and department-specific task forces studying seven planning issues from different perspectives, to be coordinated with the central strategic planning process at the appropriate time. Issues include curriculum, interdisciplinary program development, administrative productivity, faculty…

Presents a lesson plan integrating fifth language arts and social studies. Students wrote letters to the editors of newspapers in the 50 states and received hundreds of postcards and letters that were displayed throughout the classroom. Includes photographs of the students and postcards. Suggests that the activity teaches history and geography…

Described is a professional development program at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. Discussed are the teaching of the relationship of civil engineering to society and ethics, issues about the style of this type of course, and summative evaluation. Recommendations are provided. (CW)

Contends that, as rapid social change and new technology change society, aesthetic considerations become more important. Discusses issues related to using computers and other educational technology in art education programs. Concludes that the overall importance of art education will increase with the expansion of the information age. (CFR)

Asserts that social studies instruction can help teach mathematical reasoning skills through integrated activities. Recommends heterogeneous grouping to ensure that students have access to mathematics instruction. Includes four activities combining social studies content with mathematical skill instruction. (CFR)

Asserts that patriotic holidays are an important aspect of the social studies curriculum and provide opportunities to study history. Gives a set of questions and answers about the origins of Thanksgiving. Includes references to recommended children's literature related to the topic. (CFR)

Asserts that to establish standards-based education in K-12 geography, educators must develop strong instructional materials; train teachers to use those materials; and ensure adoption of the materials by providing curricular guidance. Maintains that alternatives to traditional content and instruction must be used. (CFR)

Contends that the integration of history and geography has long been recommended by historians and social scientists. Discusses the five themes of geography and how they can be integrated into an effective lesson plan. Provides an annotated list of resources on this topic. (CFR)

Reports on 2 studies of 48 eighth-grade students in which mnemonic devices and strategies were employed. Finds that both regular and learning-disabled students preferred mnemonic instruction to traditional teaching methods. Concludes that mnemonic methods can help improve student learning of historical information. (CFR)

Describes the background and development of the Geographic Inquiry into Global Issues (GIGI) project. Maintains that the secondary school lessons are designed to teach citizenship and critical thinking skills. Emphasizes that the pedagogical approach is founded on the inquiry approach. (CFR)