The four mini-centers described here give a sampling of themes and activities for small classroom learning centers on writing. Short descriptions are also included of 20 other possible themes to interest students in writing activities. (SJL)

Provides suggestions for turning the search for local history materials into a coherent package for the classroom. Teachers should choose a project that teaches skills and helps shape student values. A thematic approach (for example, transportation) contributes to selectivity and is useful for producing a sourcebook. (KC)

Briefly described is a sculpture project wherein all activities were related to Transportation Week. The Maplewood Community Services' Mobile Arts and Crafts Unit visited seven area playgrounds daily for eight weeks one summer, presenting new media, concepts, and experiences for children of all ages. (KC)

Describes one approach to teaching an American literature survey course that focuses attention on authors' responses to business. (HOD)

This discussion of problem-based learning (PBL) first describes well-structured and ill-structured problems and then offers a systematic process for finding potential PBL topics. The process involves constructing brainstorming maps to explore potential PBL units and then designing the student's role, the situation the student meets at the unit's…

Examined the nature and extent of structural change and how successfully various constituency groups were handling the change in three schools. Findings indicated that positive change was occurring along with anticipated dimensions of quality schooling indicators, while curriculum and instructional reform lagged behind. Claims that these schools…

A curricular anchor is a complex problem that students acknowledge as worth solving and that validates learning a set of relevant skills and concepts. To motivate students, anchors must capture the imagination, be perceived as important by learners, legitimize the disciplinary content they integrate, and accommodate a variety of learning…

Suggests teachers can work from children's interests and their own to develop classroom themes, noting that children's interests emerge as study continues, creating a thematic and emergent curriculum. Describes a teacher-designed theme on space, developed as children's interests were stimulated during the study, in a way that reflected the initial…

Discussion of the use of theme cycles in the teaching of students with hearing impairments first compares holistic theme cycles with traditional, reductionist theme units. The development of theme cycle components and issues is then related to locating needed materials, assisting hearing-impaired students in accessing information, managing data,…

Describes collaborating with preschool children in the development of themed reading and writing activities in a travel agency play center in the classroom. Discuss collaboration rather than prescription, literacy in the travel agency, making plans with literacy-related materials, and developing a successful collaboration. (SR)

Shares a unit on modern Chinese literature for high school students which was planned with the goal of students being able to read Chinese literature with something more than Western eyes. (MG)

Describes a three-part career research project for high school seniors: a library-research chapter describing the career; an interview chapter about a person working in the career field; and a personal-experience chapter about spending a full day observing and working with a professional from that career field. (MM)

The school-to-career movement aims to improve youngsters' educational performance and career prospects. High schools should be organized around nontracked, thematic programs to prepare students for higher education and highly skilled employment; offer career-focused programs; include work-based learning in the core curriculum; and integrate…

This article makes a case for using a sequential approach in teaching foreign languages at the middle school level. Specific sections address the limitations of the exploratory approach, a longer sequential study of a foreign language, and thematic curriculum development. (JL)

All classes at the K-8 (40-student) Aleknagit School in southwest Alaska revolve around a theme that has a science or social studies emphasis. A thematic approach encourages holistic study of a subject and reflects the most recent research on how the brain comes to know. According to three teachers involved with the program, results have been…