Examined 13 preschool classes to determine whether the voluntary literacy behavior of children could be increased by means of teacher-guided introduction of reading and writing materials into dramatic play areas. Thematic play with teacher guidance and literacy materials yielded significantly increased literacy behavior. (SH)

Examines acquisition of proprietary vocabulary (a collection of words over which the owner has mastery of understanding in listening and reading and mastery of use in speaking and writing). Describes a thematic approach to vocabulary development, and teachers' use of creative experiences to enhance acquisition of proprietary vocabulary. (RS)

Narrative texts create a more relevant, personal, and individualized learning context than content textbooks while uniting adolescents' concerns with the school curriculum and the world. Narrative texts build on prior knowledge, helping students identify and assimilate different world views and more complex knowledge. This article presents a model…

Presents the T-H-E-M-E-S system for designing interdisciplinary learning activities for middle school students. Participating teachers are urged to think up a monstrous list of themes, hone the list and group themes into three manageable lots, extrapolate selection criteria, manipulate and process themes, expand into activities triggered by…

A design context for developing children's understanding of the natural world via designing, building, testing, and evaluation of models was studied. Children were asked to design models of human elbows which provided opportunities to develop their understanding of the relations between mathematics and science through the construction and…

Argues that, within the study of cognitive psychology, the theme of intelligence provides a powerful way of unifying the disparate material of a wide-ranging course. Discusses historical perspectives on intelligence, how it unifies cognitive psychology, and classroom activities to link cognitive psychology to intelligence. (DSK)

Three Chicago schools have adopted the Junior Great Books Program, allowing students and teachers to mine a wide range of literature on themes of fairness, justice, cleverness, greed, love, friendship, and respect. Program success hinged on engagement, shared leadership, professional development, and a multiyear adoption plan. (MLH)

Caring is a critically important schooling component because today's youth have a special need for receiving care and learning how to care. Educators can create a caring school environment by emphasizing strong adult/student relationships, stressing continuity in school practices, and integrating themes of care across the curriculum. (Contains 18…

Describes a writing program involving second/third grade students and a university language arts class. Discusses a thematic unit and associated writing activities on the themes of winter and poetry. Notes that both groups of students developed better clarity in their written work. (RS)

Defines "Theme Study" with three essential elements: use of broad, powerful ideas; inquiry-based approaches to curricula; and a community of inquiry of students and teacher. Shares experiences in applying these elements and discusses essential aspects of classroom instruction. (DSK)

Recently, the International Technology Education Association and its Technology for All Americans Project published "Standards for Technological Literacy," specifying what every K-12 student should know and be able to do. Two Virginia Tech researchers have illustrated how the standards might work in a laboratory classroom using a…

The 21st-century integrated curriculum will be based not on themes, but on broad, unchanging concepts. The concept-based curriculum will require teaching of necessary language arts and other skills as needed for in-depth concept study. This approach offers common learning for all students by broadening specific objectives of many subject areas.…

Explains that concerts provide the perfect opportunity for showing the community the importance of the school music program and also enable students to demonstrate what they have learned in performing groups and classes. Provides different activities that involve the audience in the concert and promote audience education. (CMK)

Discusses the influence of a summer institute on the development of an American Literature curriculum for middle school. Notes resulting teaching strategies include: researching archives with students to supplement textbook material; providing field trips; creating personal archival collections with students; pairing texts; and mixing media from…

In this paper we perform text analysis on the new Cross Thematic Curriculum Framework Syllabus Design for compulsory education, which was constructed by the Hellenic Pedagogical Institute and is soon going to be applied in Greek schools. This curriculum text is treated as a policy text which introduces important changes in Greek school practice,…