Presents results of a study that examines the development and use of computer simulations for high school science instruction and for integrated laboratory and computerized tests that are part of the biology matriculation examination in Israel. Eleven implications for teaching are presented. (MDH)

Examines an intervention study of 23 students in an elementary teacher education program to determine the effects of three nontraditional mathematics courses on the teacher candidates' conceptual understanding of mathematics and the learning of mathematics. Results indicate that the intervention produced significant changes in prospective…

Proposes the use of literature to introduce new mathematical concepts. Presents a story to develop the concept of grouping, and follows with 11 activities related to the story in which students use dramatization and manipulative materials to develop new groupings, predict outcomes, validate their predictions, and discuss findings to develop the…

The Mathematics and Science Partnership Project helped California teachers infuse technology into secondary science and mathematics classrooms. After receiving training in use of the hardware and software, teachers developed project-related goals and redesigned their curricula to incorporate technology. The project created more student-centered…

Introduces "What We Consume," a British curriculum package that examines the social use of nature, world economy, and environmental/political controversies. Explains that the package's goal is to develop students' critical awareness of environmental problems and willingness to initiate change. Outlines the curriculum's framework and…

A thematic approach to curriculum enables students to connect topics and supports meaningful inquiry. Presents 4 activities for levels K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 in which students explore problems of interest to them involving the theme of construction and architecture. Includes reproducible worksheets. (MDH)

Examined the problem-solving strategies of above average students (n=42) in grades 2-4 on problems involving forgotten or new material while practicing arithmetic with a computer. Identified the different problem-solving strategies used, sorted them into categories, and illustrated them with examples from students' protocols. Made suggestions for…

Collaborative summer workshops between the Omaha (Nebraska) Public Schools and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln were held to improve the learning environment in multicultural science classrooms. Workshop themes included multicultural understanding, cooperative learning, and problem solving. Discusses attitude changes in student/teacher…

Describes the structure and content of SummerMath for Teachers, an experimental mathematics course designed to help inservice teachers become mathematical thinkers. The course was organized around mathematical explorations and focused on mathematical processes. Includes excerpts from teachers' journals. (Contains 17 references.) (MKR)

Describes an interdisciplinary survival project that piques middle school students' imaginations as it tests their problem solving and critical thinking skills in a survival setting. The futuristic time travel project integrates subject areas and fosters skills in communication, cooperation, and group decision making. (SM)

Discusses the 1991 adoption of geography national standards in England and Wales and the subsequent 1995 revisions. The original standards reflected a conservative emphasis on physical geography as well as a complete rejection of problem solving and critical thinking. The 1995 revisions restored some key ideas and broad emphases. (MJP)

Highlighting three exemplary schools, Steve Lacayo defines a good school as a visionary community of parents, teachers, and students. Afterschool programs, accessible technology, small classes, and improved teacher training are essential ingredients. Other articles discuss related issues: vouchers, standards, the phonics/whole-language debate,…

Two groups of twelve dyslexic children and twelve good readers attended a two-week class during the summer following their enrollment in grades 4-6. The topic was the marine environment and focused on the adventures of an orca whale that had lost its family and needed the children's help. The children attended class for three hours each day, 45…

In a four-year, longitudinal study conducted between 2000 and 2004, the author followed 700 students as they progressed through three high schools: a diverse, urban school as well as two suburban schools. Although incoming freshmen at the urban school scored significantly lower in mathematics than incoming students at the two suburban schools, by…

A boot camp is a military style correctional facility in which inmates are subject to a highly structured and challenging regimen of physical training, in addition to vocational, educational, and therapeutic programming (Cronin and Han, 1994; Austin, Jones, and Bolyard, 1993; Mackenzie and Souryal, 1991). Originally introduced to rehabilitate…