Interview with Lilian Katz, one of the foremost authorities on the project approach to learning. Discusses the misconceptions and advantages of the project approach, the teacher's role in project-based work, and the qualities teachers need to insure its success. Gives historical background on the development of the approach, and some common…

Describes how "motif-units" undermine the potential benefits of integrated thematic instruction. Suggests replacing the term "thematic unit" with the concept of "interdisciplinary outline," which focus on meaningful content, authentic activities, students' needs, teacher mediation, and a variety of resources. Shows how one fourth-grade teacher…

Describes two art projects, one for second-grade students and the other for third-grade students, inspired by the artwork of Claude Monet. The second-graders created leaf prints to frame the Impressionist autumn trees they painted, while the third-grade lesson centered around the videotape "Linnea in Monet's Garden." (CMK)

Discusses 13 resources available to teachers of American literature on the World Wide Web including general resources, Internet sites related to electronic literature, and websites whose focus is American literature and culture. Discusses using and troubleshooting the World Wide Web in the classroom. Offers tips on how to evaluate web sources and…

Illustrates a field experiment in which students studied whether people (1) respond to smiles with smiles and (2) fail to reciprocate frowns. Explains that the project facilitates understanding of methodological issues, such as random assignment, manipulation strength, and experimenter bias. Discusses the procedure and results from the project and…

Addresses the National History Day 2000-2001 competition topic "Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas," which encourages analysis of how frontiers develop and their impact on human life. Describes different approaches to the topic, what is expected of students, and the competition itself. (CMK)

Argues that, especially in the intermediate grades, keying into students' personal interests is a powerful motivator for learning. Illustrates this with the story of a formerly excellent student who became disillusioned with school in fifth grade, becoming resistant and disruptive. Describes how a project approach to reading and writing that…

Describes an activity that takes two class periods where fifth-grade students created hand-built pots. Explains that each child receives a clay slab. Discusses how to make the major part of the pot from two pinch pots and how to create the neck and foot. (CMK)

Analyzes projects developed by preservice teachers enrolled in an elementary science course. Finds that students made a number of different types of mathematical errors and underutilized data representation and summary forms. (Author/MM)

Believes that comprehensive art education should include art exhibition. Focuses on art exhibits and how they are developed by discussing the four basic phases involved in the exhibition process: (1) conceptual; (2) development; (3) functional; and (4) assessment. Discusses the social dynamics involved and how students can create their own…

Presents an interview with ceramic artist, Betty Spindler, who overcame a learning disability and earned associate and bachelor degrees in art. Explains that she creates ceramic sculptures of fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, and other everyday items. Presents a project where children create their own fruit. (CMK)

Reports on a student-based action research project in quality management within a postgraduate education program at Massey University (New Zealand). Finds the program to be complex, interconnected to the wider university system, with poorly defined processes, and unclear assignment of responsibilities. Considers the role of students and other…

Describes a program at Ohio University that teaches international business global competence to undergraduate students utilizing a project-based action learning approach. Program components include international business training on campus; a consulting project in Hungary, Malaysia, or Spain; international touring; and a paper offering the…

Presents a long-term project that directs students' focus toward real world uses of mathematics and instills in them the excitement of engaging in mathematical work. Describes how a third grade class created a book about mathematics that contains mathematical games and puzzles, original story problems, and mathematical riddles. (ASK)

Contends that students in social studies classes can utilize Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) as a presentation and collaborative tool by developing websites. Presents two activities where students submitted webpages for country case studies and created a timeline for the French Revolution. Describes how to use HTML by discussing the various tags.…