In this curriculum unit, elementary school children read information about two neighboring countries, Israel and Jordan, to make comparisons not only between the two countries but also about their own neighborhood as well. The unit uses a variety of strategies, from reading and responding to writing prompts, to creative activities, to active video…

The theme of the 1999 conference of the American reading Forum was "Literacy Transitions into the Next Millennium. Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?" The papers and sessions in this proceedings reflect members' interests ranging from affective issues to distance education, and from teaching college students to understanding…

In an era of globalization, Indiana's cultural, geographic, and economic relationships are becoming more prevalent. This guide is designed for use in middle and high school classrooms to encourage teachers and students to examine their own community's international relationships. The materials were developed by Indiana teachers and are organized…

This book integrates geography elements, national academic standards, and the five geography themes with activities that provide a foundation for geographic learning. Organized around geographic realms (with background information and maps for each realm), the book is suitable for use with grades K-6, with indications for K-2, 2-4, and 4-6, plus…

When selecting a trade book for use in the social studies classroom, teachers must ensure that it represents high quality literature that will be interesting to students. This process involves examining such literary elements as characterization, plot, theme, setting, author's style, and point of view. The book must also match the theme or goal in…

This book presents summaries and activities associated with 15 books to read with kindergarten through second graders that explore social issues central to their lives. Thematic topics include the give and take of friendship; bullies, pests, and teasing; isolation and reaching out across generations; families; and working together. It features…

This book contains a collection of lessons that will help teachers expand their strategies for teaching reading comprehension with the Guided Comprehension Model. According to the book, the Guided Comprehension Model is a step-by-step teaching framework that encourages students to become active, strategic readers by providing direct and guided…

This book offers countless practical ideas for student activities in the areas of literature, reading, writing, and thematic units, from the exploration of ghostly themes, to the writing of resumes for heroes, to devising yearbook entries or Web pages for famous literary characters. The book provides the middle school or secondary school classroom…

This paper describes how the University of Dayton, Ohio, has strengthened teacher education through the creation of two institutional general education initiatives that integrate general and professional education in a coherent learning experience. The first is a CORE program that is open to all students pursuing degree work in the elementary…

In these politically charged times of early literacy initiatives, position statements, and education reform, talk about play and literacy learning seems rather awkward, if not even a bit silly. As the realities of early literacy education set in, teachers, legislators, and parents grow ever more critical of what young children are doing as…

Teaching is a reflective and deeply human activity, an ethical enterprise that involves the teacher as a person. The educational significance of autobiography lies in its ability to enable people to understand their present experiences and those yet to occur. Teacher-educators' interest in autobiography is very narrowly defined: the professional…

This Digest discusses teaching interdisciplinary thematic units in language arts, noting that such units typically integrate broad areas of knowledge, such as social studies, mathematics, or ecology with the teaching of the four major language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The Digest presents a definition and rationale for…

Describes a one semester literature course, "Human Relations in Literature," that allows students to discuss their own questions and problems indirectly in terms of a fictional character. (TO)

Article reviews Hesse's novels for their social and moral values and stresses their influence upon today's students. (GB)

Discusses the concept energy" in terms of its use as a unifying theme in secondary school science courses. (AL)