The subject of this panel presentation was a collaborative effort to improve writing instruction around the state of Kentucky, which resulted in the funding of several National Writing Project sites, regional workshops, and a competitive grants program to encourage middle and high school classroom teachers to develop innovative writing projects in…

An alternative curriculum for Freshman Composition, designed to help students develop cognitive skills useful for academic writing in other courses, involves eight discipline-specific assignments, building from relatively simple writing tasks such as taking lecture notes and keeping an academic journal, through book reports, essay examinations,…

Discusses clear visualization as a key to learning and understanding. Presents some examples (using metaphor and simile) of the way language can express clear visualization and objectivity. (JK)

This collection of papers focuses on teachers' personal and professional development, showing what teachers' learning, hopes, desires, struggles, and instruction look and feel like from inside the lives of effective teachers and in their classrooms. Topics include the types of resources and experiences effective teachers use, how these resources…

Describes one unit on analyzing and writing mystery stories in a problem-solving seminar for seventh graders that incorporates the use of television, cooperative learning, and reading and writing in the mathematics class. Provides a sample activity sheet and examples of seventh-grade mystery stories. (Contains 14 references.) (MDH)

Asserts that multicultural education is an integral part of the school curriculum. Describes a three-week interdisciplinary unit on China combining social studies, language arts, mathematics, the arts, and computer skills. Includes a list of children's literature, a sample lesson, and a map of China. (CFR)

Suggests activities that use a variety of communication modes to help students develop a deeper understanding of mathematics. Highlights include writing projects such as student journals and creating word problems; problem-solving software; the use of games, oral presentations, charts, models, and graphs; reading activities; and developing…

Presents the method of employing student-written playlets and a technique called "stage freeze" to help students identify appropriate operations during problem solving. Provides five sample playlets, a description of the method, and several beneficial results from using the method. (MDH)

Describes unusual mathematical assignments and writing methods utilized in college geometry classes for students with little or no geometric background. Includes a bibliography of 51 source books suggested for use by students enrolled in these courses. (JJK)

Presents an activity developed for back-to-back general science and mathematics classes involving measurement, data analysis, and consumer mathematics. Students compare brands of popcorn for number of popped and unpopped kernels, volume, size, color, texture, and flavor, and develop advertisements for the best brands. Suggests possible extension…

The opinions of 98 Australian educational experts concerning mathematics skills necessary for future numeracy were solicited. The qualitative comments were incorporated into three scenarios reflecting alternative visions for the future: a careful scenario, a futuristic scenario, and a process scenario. (24 references) (MDH)

Presents four techniques to bring current science controversy into the classroom: (1) daily reviews and discussions of current science articles; (2) weekly group analysis of an assigned article; (3) individual student reports of a science controversy; and (4) a yearlong cooperative group study of a science issue. (MDH)

Asserts that the whole-language approach is a philosophy of learning in which children construct knowledge by actively engaging in classroom projects that have real meaning for them. Describes thematic studies using a whole-language approach in which children (with teacher assistance) decide what themes will be studied. (CFR)

Proposes a learning model that includes components of critical thinking and social critique in writing assignments. Reports on results of an experimental course designed to use graduate student teaching assistants to improve students' critical thinking and writing skills. Describes the positive results of the course. (CFR)

Presents four articles for elementary teachers. The first shows how teachers can guide students to write stories from personal experiences. The second offers suggestions for mathematics instruction, focusing on primary level geometry and intermediate level problem solving. The third focuses on folk-art barn paintings. The fourth uses pumpkins to…