Students' interests are assessed in human geography and in the man-land orientation (how people have adjusted and adapted their environment). The major problems investigated are to determine which areas of human geography are of most interest to upper elementary students, and to assess the perceptions of these students regarding the best place to…

This booklet introduces elementary school teachers to the methodology, climate, aims, and objectives necessary for the teaching of philosophical thinking to grade schoolers. The methodology casts the teacher as a facilitator whose primary task is stimulating children to reason about their own problems. The discussion process with hints and guides…

This yearbook consists of two distinct parts. In part one, Concepts and Techniques in Geography, eight academic geographers review the thrust of recent research in the branches of the discipline with little or no reference made to the implications of these developments to elementary and secondary education. Two essays deal with man/land…

An inquiry-conceptual program framework for social studies education is described. Guidelines for implementation of the suggested program are set forth, and a model for planning the basic sequence of learning experiences is developed. Effective teaching/learning techniques are outlined. An annotated list of elementary social studies materials and…

Elementary teachers and principals enrolled in an elementary education graduate course developed this guide which interprets and applies the concept of inquiry teaching and learning. The purpose of the guide is to bridge the gap between the theory of the inquiry process and its use in the classroom. It is written for use by elementary educators as…

New social studies materials are based on inquiry modes of learning and teaching; however, little is known as to what students actually learn from an inquiry model (except for cognitive knowledge). An inquiry model and test to measure the "unmeasurable" in the social studies--namely, a student's ability to use the scientific process,…

The experimental 1973-74 edition of Unit V consists of 35 life science curriculum activities intended for 13- to 16-year-old educable mentally handicapped adolescents. The role of the teacher in continuing field trials is noted and environmental themes and elements, inquiry skills, problem solving skills, and applicational behaviors and attitudes…

These selections were chosen to give practical, understandable answers to several questions concerning concept teaching. What are concepts? Why teach them? How can concepts be taught? What are the implications of teaching? Here concept teaching implies: 1) developing the learners ability to conceptualize; 2) evolving more complex…

The relationship between teacher questions and a series of supervisory conferences designed to modify those questions from recall and recognition to higher levels of comprehension was investigated. Five Toronto, Ontario, third-grade teachers were randomly selected to participate in the study, and their progress was recorded through individual…

Strategies suggested in this handbook provide ways for the intermediate grade teacher and the class to share in summarizing and analyzing educational developments associated with "Man: A Course of Study (MACOS)". The evaluation devices focus on pupils' perceptions and critical insights to develop their ability to explore questions about…

The team assigned to develop a unit of study on Urbanization chose to examine a small town in Canada as a means of creating better understanding of urban growth, problems, and solutions. The general purpose was to develop in students an increased awareness of their own community by giving them an opportunity to observe, experience and participate…

Discusses the gender differences revealed on the science content items of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Science Assessment. Examines explanations for the differences, including differential prior instruction, differential response to uncertainty, differential response to figurally presented items, and different attitudes toward…

Presents the results of a comparative study of Canada and Israel. Science achievements based on data collected in the Second International Science Study are examined. Also the intended and translated curriculum are considered. The populations of the study, results of the study, and the similarities between students are described. (CW)

Presents the problem of evaluating teaching, especially in science education. Gives examples of science teaching skills that are difficult to evaluate. Gives examples of individual solutions being used. Announces a National Science Teachers Association survey of teacher evaluation and standards. (CW)

Demonstrates how a spreadsheet program can do calculations, freeing students to question, analyze data and learn science. Notes several popular spreadsheet programs. Gives an example using Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets for a sampling experiment in Biology. Shows other examples of spreadsheet use in laboratory activities. (CW)