Describes the social studies program at Walker Junior High School (La Palma, CA). Uses student research and role playing to make areas of history, geography, and government more meaningful. Includes colonial period, slavery, medieval life, and city government. Suggests themes, methods, and telecommunication and computer use. Reports that the…

Describes teaching Western political theory at Beijing University (China) in 1987, a period of political modernization. Suggests changes to enhance education and scholarship in China concerning instructional pedagogy. Notes the need for critical writing skills, finds students limited in their ability to analyze scholarly writing, and recommends…

Presents several lesson plans using newspapers to develop critical thinking skills that the author has used in critical thinking, English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL), and English composition classes. Examines news writing, the inverted pyramid, organization and language usage, letters to the editor, and how to critically analyze survey results. (CH)

Described is an alternative first year algebra program developed to bridge the gap between the NCTM's Curriculum and Evaluation Standards and institutional demands of schools. Increased attention is given to graphing as a context for algebra, calculator use, solving "memorable problems," and incorporating geometry concepts, while…

Presents a paper delivered in Poland in 1989 and in five additional Eastern European cities in 1990. Defines democracy and suggests ways to teach about democratic government. Explores education's role in a democracy. Encourages student participation in student government, classroom discussion, community service, and research projects to give them…

Compares the use of standardized tests and authentic assessment to measure student progress and achievement in art education. Reviews a variety of authentic assessment models and techniques. Concludes that authentic assessment is a powerful measure of student achievement and teaching effectiveness. (CFR)

Describes a 5-day simulation workshop on the Cuban Missile Crisis developed for 60 secondary school students participating in the Indiana University summer gifted and talented program. Uses role playing and game situations to teach critical thinking. Finds these techniques effective in providing a sense of power and competence. (NL)

University professors gave inservice workshops for intermediate grade teachers and continued to support teachers by modeling reading instruction techniques and monitoring implementation of reading strategies in the teachers' classrooms. Results for 82 fifth and sixth graders showed significant gains in Metropolitan Achievement Test reading scores…

To understand how technology changes today's classrooms, two Russian educators working in the United States examine instruction through their technology-based course in high school chemistry. Eight tables compare traditional and innovative perspectives on course goal, course content, context shells, learning styles, assessment,…

Interviews with parents, teachers, and administrators of a California Bay Area elementary school explored the impact of Proposition 227 on parent involvement, student achievement, classroom instruction, and student and teacher emotions. Data indicate that an overemphasis on language of instruction overshadowed other critical issues such as…

Examined teachers' beliefs on what constitutes developmentally appropriate literacy instruction. Three teachers were interviewed, observed during planning and instruction time, and asked to reflect on their beliefs and practicing. Through practice, they came to believe that appropriate literacy instruction involves a variety of instructional…

Presents four paintings and summarizes a discipline based art education approach to studying them. Each painting is followed by a brief text consisting of information about the subject and artist. The text also includes writing assignments, research questions, and related activities. The paintings include portraits by Goya and Joan Miro. (MJP)

Describes a U.S. history survey course that incorporates cultural pluralism and family histories into the writing assignments. Students are encouraged to write about events that occurred in their families during the time periods being studied. Oral interviews and family documents supplement traditional research tools and secondary sources. (MJP)

Uses ecological systems theory as framework for review of research underlying inclusive early-childhood programs. Describes definitions of and rationales for inclusion, and demographics of inclusive programs and staff. Discusses research at microsystem and mesosystem levels related to classroom practices, social interaction, and teacher beliefs;…

Data was released from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in the 1980s that showed a decrease in students' problem-solving abilities and conceptual understanding but an increase in performance on items requiring lower-ordered thinking skills. To address this decline in performance, leading disciplinary organizations, such as…