Presents a well-defined, goal-responsive curriculum model, derived from the concepts of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, which introduces several foreign languages to middle-grade students to begin to construct a foundation for later proficiency in a foreign language and to instill greater cultural sensitivity.…

Discusses five innovative social studies projects which employ conceptual frameworks, discovery learning, and multimedia presentations. The projects generally reflect the ideas of the "new social studies." Projects discussed are The Family of Man, From Subject to Citizen, Patterns in Human History, Geography in an Urban Age, and…

This book introduces third through sixth grade teachers to problem-based learning (PBL), a system for classroom instruction and curriculum development. It combines the PBL system with practice in locating, evaluating, and thinking about information from the Internet. It provides 8 PBL units for use in the classroom, offering instructions for…

Teachers need to stay abreast of the latest trends in the language arts to offer an updated curriculum. The language arts areas are vital in each academic discipline and integrate well with diverse subject matter areas. Some common trends when reading the literature on teaching the language arts are: portfolios; journaling; computerized reading…

Anne LaBastille, a role model for women interested in exploring the wilderness, gives hints on lessening the effects of acid rain, tells outdoor educators to encourage women to explore the wilderness and to take children outdoors to experience nature, and predicts a future economic slump for outdoor education. (LC)

Compared effectiveness of discovery and expository instructional strategies on science knowledge and attitudes of fifth-grade Egyptian students (N=276). Although there were no sex differences, students taught by discovery scored higher in achievement (recall and application) and attitudes than those taught by the expository method. (JN)

Investigated the interaction between science teaching strategy (semideductive, structured inductive, hypotheticodeductive) and selected learner characteristics (Piagetian cognitive level and field independence) in terms of student achievement in science. Achievement of undergraduate elementary education majors (N=77) in a general science program…

Three limitations of the Barnes and Clawson review (EJ 135 379), which concluded that advance organizers do not facilitate learning, are discussed. Several theories of the effects of advance organizers on internal cognitive processes are presented, and theory-related studies provide evidence that advance organizers can affect learning in…

Presents a series of lessons that extend the concrete experiences many elementary students have had with attribute blocks to provide middle school students with informal opportunities to explore the concepts and properties of relations and functions. (DDR)

Evaluation of a sequenced inquiry learning task with 20 normally achieving junior high students, 18 students with learning disabilities (LD), and 16 with mild mental retardation (MR) found 75 percent of the normal, 50 percent of the LD, but none of the MR students made the correct induction. LD and MR students were less likely to answer…

This article describes a project that involved two groups of able students (ages 11-14) identified by teachers to work on problems set by two local industries. The project was designed to enrich the curriculum by developing problem solving skills and understanding of the application of science and technology in industry. (CR)

Compared were the integrated process skills of American youngsters who studied for several years in an activity-based, materials-oriented program to a group of Japanese pupils who studied in a similar program and to an American group whose program was textbook oriented. Implications are discussed. (Author/CW)

Defines "earth bonding" as dynamic interaction between individual and physical environment. Examines methods and goals of traditional environmental education. Describes development of five-day camping workshop for 11 outdoor education teachers. Describes how workshop facilitated earth bonding for teachers. Calls for further research in "bonding…

Three general areas in which technology (microcomputers and video technology) can facilitate learning are discussed: (1) helping students develop fluency (rapid recognition of familiar patterns); (2) providing rich problem-solving contexts that invite thinking; and (3) enabling students to create products that catch the attention of their teachers…

Uses writings of Paulo Freire to discuss situation of British primary teachers required to teach science without specialized training. Cites interviews with teachers that point to cultural clashes between National Curriculum physics and primary practice. Conflicts exist between facilitating child-centered discovery learning and teaching, and…