Presents a five-day study unit that provides positive and negative views of Columbus' voyages. Explains that lessons include reading and writing assignments culminating in a debate of the implications of the Columbian legacy. Offers questions designed to prompt students to defend their views on Columbus. Identifies instructional objectives and…

Discusses student responses to a fourth grade teacher's efforts to engage students in social action. Indicates that most students felt they could be passive good citizens and that social action would fail anyway. Argues that schools need to promote active citizenship. Examines an alternative model of citizenship education that promotes individual…

Discusses the use of feature films in promoting student critical thinking. Proposes using the technique on the elementary, secondary, or college level. Lists possible films and associated questions for discussion. Suggests that role playing could help students develop new perspectives on the films' characters. (SG)

Outlines a model for incorporating critical thinking about politics within a rhetorical schema in writing courses. Provides an outline of four units of study on political semantics, psychological blocks to perceiving bias, models of biased and deceptive rhetoric, and locating and evaluating partisan sources. (SR)

Interviews were conducted with 22 secondary-level special education teachers of students with mild mental handicaps, concerning family life and sexuality education. Although teachers believed students would benefit from comprehensive and realistic training, they feared adverse reactions from students, parents, and administrators. (Author/DB)

Several ways of exploring the subject of global warming within the context of a conventional physics syllabus are suggested. The physics underlying greenhouse phenomena, the process of modelling (especially computers), possible future climatic scenarios, and the differing nature of the uncertainties associated with the many fields of study that…

The preparation and format of debates that deal with environmental issues are presented. The educational pros and cons of such debates are discussed. A list of 30 suggested environmental debate topics and a reproducible debate evaluation form are provided. (KR)

Urges exposure of college students to different philosophies and world views. Describes the reasoning, preparation, and experience of having a Marxist representative speak to a class on comparative education. Insists that the teacher cannot present an adversary's arguments as a believer would. Argues that exposure to other views produces critical…

In the cooperative controversy technique, two opposing sides are clearly drawn over a single issue, and learners on both sides cooperate to understand both sides and arrive at a personal position. Students respond enthusiastically to the exercise, are helped in exploring emotional responses to issues, and learn how, not what, to think. (MSE)

Explains how the author encouraged students to think about censorship and the arts when conducting a field trip to Robert Mapplethorpe's "The Perfect Moment" exhibition at the Wadsworth Atheneum (Connecticut). Suggests preparing the students beforehand and keeping parents informed. Recommends booking a public room at a museum where…

Reviews two prominent philosophical justifications for animal liberation and describes a simulation that facilitates class discussion of animal research issues. Students reported that the exercise increased their awareness of the issues and of the complexity of making ethical decisions. (DB)

Offers a perspective on the challenge teachers face with the question of religion's role in the public schools. Discusses seven guidelines for curricular decision making. Cautions against seeking absolute solutions to the questions that will continue to surround the religious liberty provisions of the First Amendment. (DB)

The Iowa Board of Regents requires faculty to present a disclaimer when classroom instructional materials include sexually explicit content and allow students to complete alternative assignments. Some feel the policy strikes a healthy balance between academic freedom and student choice; others see it as giving students undue authority. (MSE)

Contends that the daily newspaper has been used traditionally to teach current events in the social studies classroom. Asserts that using daily newspapers open the door to higher levels of thinking and problem-solving skills. Presents 27 instructional activities for integrating the daily newspaper into the social studies curriculum. (CFR)

Potential extinction of the human smallpox virus lies in the hands of a few scientists and policymakers. Whether this decision should be made can serve as an excellent issue for extended, focused classroom discussion. Outlines the history of smallpox, illustrates the debate, and describes preparation needed before discussing the issue. Also…