A collaboration between multiple local partners in southwestern New Hampshire sponsors a unique writing program. Students explore local parks and open spaces and then submit essays about them to the local newspaper. The program has expanded to research on significant local residents, how local industries and traditions got started, and a local…

This article discusses how Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) can be taught to gifted students in grades 4-9 using hands-on activities that align to the National Science Standards. Principles of magnetic levitation, advantages of magnetic levitation, construction of a Maglev project, testing and evaluation of vehicles, and presentation of the unit are…

Investigated the effects on middle school students of designing their own multimedia materials, including design knowledge, cognitive strategy, and motivation toward learning. Presents a theoretical framework, including project-based learning; describes questionnaires used; and discusses task ranking, planning and storyboarding, time management,…

Discusses the use of multimedia technology in history by providing case studies of projects within an urban history course and a course called "Men, Women, and War: Popular Memory and Public Understanding." Provides information on the teachers' expectations and addresses whether the project could be utilized at other universities. Includes a…

A French immersion/math-science alternative school in Montreal (Quebec) had 32 secondary students perform the mandated school self-assessment. The student-designed questionnaire focused on the school's mission statement. Results indicated that the students felt the school was successful in only one aspect of its mission statement--the math and…

Addresses the issue of assisting and motivating weak readers in history courses to participate more in research projects by utilizing varied types of materials in small group settings that incorporate different ability levels. Discusses specific types of materials (books, films, and oral history) and sources to locate these materials. (CMK)

This study investigated the effects of teacher evaluation and the combination of teacher evaluation and student self-evaluation on student performance and attitudes. Participants were 189 Latvian high school students and six teachers. Students in the teacher-evaluation and the self-plus-teacher evaluation groups received significantly higher…

Describes a third grade class geography project in which students assembled a quilt from fabrics acquired from 29 foreign countries. Presents photographs of quilt squares obtained and excerpts from letters of contributors. States that the project made textbook locations seem more relevant to students. (DB)

Addresses the problem of lack of student motivation in an introductory course on U.S. politics. Describes a course centered around a small group project that requires students to gain government action on a group proposal. Presents project format. Discusses student successes and failures. Includes suggestions for course implementation. (RW)

Discusses the use of cooperative learning in advanced journalism and broadcasting courses. Presents two one-semester studies, "snapshots" of how a group of students tackled team reporting and how a group of broadcast regulation students dealt with group argumentation. Notes the lack of serious theoretical development to guide journalism…

Examines the role of "relief" teacher at a Navajo Reservation elementary boarding school: developer of academic projects based on student interests and abilities. Describes a whale project that involved building a life-size model, information searches, letter and report writing, and a student-organized demonstration of exhibits. (SV)

Describes a program that involved classroom instruction in advanced mathematics, a visit to the Mathematical Sciences section of Oak Ridge Laboratory, talks by faculty members on their interests, work with mentors on student research activities, and various recreational activities. Includes a list of projects and students participating. (RT)

Presents fully developed library media activities designed to be used in connection with specific curriculum units, including music, reading and language arts, science, and social studies. For each activity, the objectives of the exercise, resources, instructional roles of librarians and teachers, procedures involved, evaluation, and follow-up…

Reports on an investigation of a population of dandelions on a school lawn. Describes the objectives, rationale, study area, and the results of the study. Includes tables and graphs that show data collected. (RT)

Describes a photography and local history project developed by students in a seventh grade language arts class. Discusses the project's success as reflected by student motivation and progress in writing skills. (SV)