Suggesting that students in the primary grades can explore the world around them and practice valuable skills in spelling, reading, writing, communication, and language, this book presents cross-curricular units on the environment that reach diverse needs by working through emotional memory, deductive reasoning, and multiple intelligences.…

Maintains that music teachers can develop interdisciplinary curricula without sacrificing the integrity of their own discipline by focusing on conceptual (rather than content) connections. Recommends focusing on instructional priorities, curricular appropriateness, and conceptual understanding when planning an interdisciplinary curriculum. Briefly…

Scientific illiteracy in society begins in grade school, but preservice elementary teachers typically take only one or two disconnected science courses towards certification. Faculty from four disciplines developed an integrated science course tailored for elementary education majors. Students learn the importance of a well-rounded scientific…

Describes a novel approach to comprehensive questions in world history examinations. Recommends using current events as illustrative reference points for complex subjects such as nationalism, liberalism, and international trade. Students receive information packets on the events for several weeks and must relate the subjects to these events. (MJP)

Describes the use of theme cycles with a group of inner-city high school students with hearing impairments. Discusses the theoretical background of the thematic approach and describes the implementation process of a group learning cycle including false starts, question posing and data collection, teacher and student interaction, and final shared…

Contains part of a paper written in 1980 by a pioneer of environmental education examining the lack of extensive introduction of environmental education into secondary schools. Argues that school administrators and staff must consider the situation and implement environmental education in some form. Offers a widely accepted brief to help them.…

Argues that incorporating literature into daily reading instruction opens up avenues that junior high remedial students may never think exist for them. Presents eight techniques to help teachers get started using literature in the remedial classroom. (RS)

Describes how a fourth-grade class developed a hands-on, integrated math, science, and literature unit about dogs and brought a dog into class for two weeks. The unit was so successful that the dog stayed for the year. School administration, teachers, parents, and students agreed that the impact of the dog's presence had been beneficial. (ET)

The science curricula in grades K-6 in 4 school districts from 4 states are analyzed and compared. Two districts employ a content approach using textbooks as the dominant medium, whereas the other two employ a hands-on approach using manipulative activities and thematic units. Implications for students with disabilities are considered. (Author/PB)

Demonstrates the use of "Jumping the Broom," a children's book, to integrate mathematics and social studies. Discusses the use of problem solving, finding patterns, and making conjectures by studying the quilt pattern used in the story. (MKR)

Describes the day-to-day implementation of a project involving the creation and operation of a city made with wooden blocks in a kindergarten classroom. By acting out the "Roxaboxen" story, children improved their reading, writing, and calculation skills. They learned from personal experience that living in a society involves…

Describes one fifth grade teacher's approach to the teaching of U.S. history. Reveals that the teacher limited breadth of coverage in favor of an approach that sought to connect themes and facts. Explains that the teacher incorporated language arts teaching, storytelling, writing assignments, and cooperative learning activities. (SG)

Discusses the nature of social studies as a discipline. Defines it as citizenship education for teaching students how to deal with change and conflict in society. Suggests that social studies teachers believe that content should be interdisciplinary, emphasize themes and concepts dealing with social and personal issues, and teach the process of…

Ninth graders explored the theme of power and ambition by reading William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," studying daily life in ancient Rome, comparing the play's plot to the attempted overthrow of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, examining other power struggles, and developing scripts for modern-day "Julius Caesar"…

Presents an interdisciplinary unit on flight and space designed for the fourth grade. Describes class activities and a field trip that are integral parts of the unit. Provides suggestions for teachers wishing to create similar interdisciplinary units. (CFR)