Provides six themes identified by historians and master teachers that should be the goal of any history study. Suggests ways to develop each theme and offers helpful appropriate resource materials. Stresses building historical understanding and empathy for past times and peoples in young learners. (CH)

Proposes changes in elementary curriculum and Montessori teacher training programs that would strengthen the impact of Montessori's views on the education of children ages 6 to 12. Discusses reorganizing the elementary curriculum around broad themes or stories that would serve as paths introducing children to the broader world of learning and be…

Reports on a preservice teacher education project in which social studies and English student teachers worked on an interdisciplinary middle school curriculum. Outlines four project goals and five "start-up" conditions. Presents a chronological description of project highlights and three lessons learned from the endeavor. (CFR)

Maintains that the development of national standards provides resources for social studies curriculum development. Discusses the theme of continuity and change and asserts that elementary students can understand chronology. Provides a bibliographic essay and a list of nine recommended children's books and six teacher resources. (CFR)

This article considers how principles of whole-theme constructivism, which integrates multiple learning sources and activates learners' creativity, are used in the University of Alabama's teacher training program, the Multiple Abilities Program. The program centers on the whole-themes of diversity, empowerment, and authenticity. The way these…

This paper discusses whole-theme constructivism as the theoretical framework for the Multiple Abilities Program (MAP), a program at the University of Alabama that prepares teachers to work with students of varying abilities. Whole-theme constructivism, which integrates multiple learning sources and activates learners' creativity, is discussed in…

This exploratory research describes results of a thematic literature-based unit in an upper elementary, self-contained class for students with learning disabilities. Social and collaborative activities included reading, writing, and speaking on the topic of friendship. Literacy outcomes are illustrated in three case histories. (DB)

The Thematic Unit approach to content-area learning integrates reading, writing, and speaking exercises for learning-disabled students while fostering active and strategic study of the content. Features include use of natural materials, teaching of learning strategies, and emphasis on student decision making and involvement. Guidelines are…

The topic of Presidents and First Ladies provides a thematic approach to the teaching of writing skills and thinking skills in the academic areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Activities include, among others, creating a graph of Presidential characteristics and creating a play about an event in one President's life.…

The Javits 7+ Gifted and Talented Program (Community School District 18, Brooklyn, New York) was designed to provide an opportunity for socioeconomically disadvantaged children to receive intensive school-based activities that would prepare them for gifted education programs. Teachers assessed students using Howard Gardner's concept of multiple…

Overviews some current approaches and practices of the basic aspects of foreign language in the elementary school (FLES) methodology and illustrates classroom implementation of these techniques. FLES practitioners need to explore ways to appeal to students to help them retain different types of Spanish content and gain new insights into Spanish…

Presents a plan for developing and teaching an interdisciplinary curriculum unit combining social studies/social science and English/language arts. Argues that an integrated curriculum based on history and social studies is the key to an effective interdisciplinary unit. Provides suggested resources and instructional ideas. (CFR)

Presents Gold Rush Day, an annual eight-week project emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach for fourth graders. Describes the preparation and implementation of the project. Includes a description of interdisciplinary learning achievements. (CFR)

Describes how the teaching of language and the teaching of subject matter knowledge can be brought together to empower students and to foster a positive attitude toward their own abilities. Illustrates a framework for integrating language development and the development of subject matter knowledge with a case study of one classroom in Vancouver,…

Provides relevant annotated resources and suggests class activities centered around the theme of communities, including animal communities, historic communities, and aiding contemporary communities. Describes Web sites, CD-ROMs, computer software, videos, and books; specifies age levels and appropriate curriculum areas. (LRW)