Presents an Italian study of children assigned to write two persuasive appeals for funds. Reports that improvement on the second request was related to request features demonstrated between the two assignments. Concludes that training did have some effect, but both control and experimental groups improved in their second performances. (DK)

Describes an activity in which students utilize mathematical communication and reasoning skills to develop a class constitution. Students brainstorm rules for their classroom in cooperative-learning groups, classify them into categories, and justify their decision to the class. (MDH)

Discusses students' awareness of science/technology/society (STS) issues, the importance students assign to STS issues, and students' achievement in a genetics unit after infusing STS vignettes into class discussions. Recommendations are made on the use of STS vignettes by science teachers. (KR)

Describes the relationship between learning opportunities and the negotiation of social norms in mathematics class discussions based on data from interviews and observation of a third-grade classroom. Includes several transcripts of observations. (31 references) (MKR)

Reports on in-depth interviews with two Australian, secondary school, social studies teachers regarding beliefs and practices about questioning techniques. Finds that the teachers hold implicit theories regarding questioning that are unique, idiosyncratic, and incomplete. (CFR)

This article describes the structure and operation of three literature seminars offered in the English curriculum at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. The seminar approach puts the responsibility on the student and fosters creativity, thinking skills, and problem solving. The seminars include:…

Describes a video used to teach library research to freshman English students. It combines special filming techniques and music to dramatize the library research experiences of two students. Produced in four segments, the video presentations are augmented by librarian-led discussions during breaks in the viewing. Borrowing and purchasing…

The importance of including multicultural education as a component of science teacher education programs is discussed. A definition of multicultural education, multicultural competencies of preservice science teachers, selected activities designed to focus on stereotyping, racism, classroom environment, and characteristics of a multicultural…

Presents a lesson plan for illustrating how shifting patterns of immigration and public reaction have influenced public policy toward immigration restriction. Details objectives and procedures for activities using National Archives documents. Includes a worksheet and copies of government documents. (CH)

Presents a history lesson based on the deed of presentation for the Statue of Liberty. Discusses the conception and history of the statue and its presentation to the United States as a gift from the people of France. Includes a copy of the document, topics for class discussion, and research, writing, and design activities. (DK)

Recommends teaching students to recognize bias in news reports and how personal preferences infringe on objective judgment. Provides two class activities designed to help students understand this concept. Uses the Cinderella story from three cultures and group discussion to illustrate this technique. (NL)

A theory of legal seminars is suggested, and procedures for implementing it through student-centered research and writing projects are outlined. The theory's implications for student readings and class discussions and for seminar content are also discussed. (MSE)

The postgraduate Teacher Thinking Seminar (TTS) was created to explore the implications of constructivist theory for teachers' education and development. Using participants' own practical knowledge, the main strategy was the dialectical process of group reflection. The article elaborates four seminar examples, suggesting that TTS can effectively…

Describes an activity in which students examine hypothetical exposure to toxins by being showered by different colored pieces of confetti over several visits to exposure sites. Students record quantities of confetti that stick to packing tape. Colors correspond to different toxins posing different health problems. Students process their findings…

Defines groupware and sets up a theoretical justification for its use in teaching. Using the groupware application Forum, shows how groupware can enable electronic discussion that captures the best features of both in-class discussion (dynamic interaction and cooperative learning) and writing assignments (thoughtful insights backed by careful…