Maintains that student-centered curriculum embodies the progressive and constructivist principles of active, participatory learning. Advocates emphasizing the importance of context as part of a constructivist approach. Includes instructional examples of connecting contextual information about artworks to constructivist activities. (MJP)

Identifies charisma and inspirational leadership as the most important characteristics of transformational leaders. Discusses how middle and secondary school music conductors can use the transformational leadership model. Summarizes key components of this model including positive modeling, sharing vision, and empowering others. Provides relevant…

Recalls the problems encountered and the solutions offered when a school district put 1100 middle school students on a year-round schedule. Discovered an enormous benefit in class size reduction accompanied by daunting challenges involving scheduling and logistics. Includes a chart illustrating the rotational schedule of the orchestra. (MJP)

Investigates the construction of understanding of the motion of an object down an inclined plane which takes place through the process of model building in an integrated algebra, trigonometry, and physics class. Discusses four major themes related to student learning through modeling that emerged from the results. Discusses implications for…

Presents a lesson plan designed to help students think about the qualities, types, and components of leadership and how these relate to the responsibilities of the US President. Includes sets of discussion questions, preceded by informational handouts, concerning, general qualities of leadership, specific leaders, and leadership in everyday life.…

Outlines three lesson plans designed to increase students' knowledge of candidates, public policy issues, and social responsibility as well as develop problem-solving skills. Different sets of activities address the issues of politicians vs. leaders; the relationship among politics, power, and conflict; identifying and prioritizing issues in an…

Proposes two motivational instruments that can help students gain an understanding of the issues and analyze their importance. The first step, F.I.N.D.(ing) an article, involves identifying Facts, Issues, Nation(s) Involved and Dilemma. The second step incorporates seeing R.E.D., (R)ecognizing the Issue, (E)valuating the Issue, and (D)efending the…

Examines basic concepts forming the foundation for professional care and education of young children and how these concepts may impede interaction between teachers or caregivers and children. Critiques the concepts of natural development, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and child centeredness. Advocates increased scaffolding, increased…

Presents an interdisciplinary lesson plan on the history and development of transportation in the United States. Includes activities involving role playing, simulations, research and presentations. Also includes a 48-item transportation book list. These activities illustrate issues of public opposition and support, economic development, and social…

Surveys preservice and experienced music teachers to discover opinions on what specific skills are important for the first three years of teaching. Teachers rated skills using a Likert-type scale. Includes a list of the skills, statistical analysis of responses, brief literature review, and summary of the results. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan constructed around materials found in the User's Guide to the Federal Project. The Federal Theater Project produced radical and populist plays during the Great Depression before being de-funded by a conservative Congress. The lessons include activities and discussion built around the original plays. (MJP)

Provides five fully developed library media activities that are designed for use with specific curriculum units is art, reading, language arts, health, science, and social studies. Library media skills, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are described for each activity. (LRW)

Provides six fully developed library media activities that are designed for use with special curriculum units in art, health, language arts, technology, reading, science, and social studies. Library media skills, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are described for each…

Recommends that drama be included in early childhood education, emphasizing preschool education. Cites research linking drama with enhanced language acquisition in children, ages 3-8. Emphasizes drama's effectiveness as a multisensory learning medium. Notes programs offering drama training for teachers. Suggests changes in teacher education and…

Recommends creative dance, as part of early childhood education, be developmentally appropriate, using exploratory movement and sensory awareness to teach children about themselves. From personal experience, describes dance work, based on Native-American dance and children's alternative realities, and designed to encourage future development of…