Presents an annotated bibliography of books about the voyages of Christopher Columbus for children, preschool to grade seven. Notes that the five hundredth anniversary of the Columbus voyages will occur in 1992 and encourages teachers to anticipate the national commentoration and develop appropriate learning activities. (NL)

Explains a class project in which high school seniors designed a "Trivial Pursuit" game focused on the Civil War. Students developed questions in chronological categories then divided into teams to play the game. Stresses student involvement and active learning while creating and playing the game. Includes sample game card and references…

Maintains that primary school teachers should increase the emphasis on narrative and expository textual experiences. Children should be exposed to a variety of reading experiences through a classroom library, the practice of reading aloud, and children's magazines. (BB)

Presents an interdisciplinary approach to organizing primary school subjects of reading, writing, and mathematics around social studies concepts. The strategy known as the storyline strategy, developed at Jordanhill College of Education in Scotland, is based upon concept development and experiential learning. Illustrates the method with a chart…

Encourages music teachers to discover ways to apply research findings in their classrooms. Considers how teachers' attitudes, approaches, and applications affect research utilization. Provides a sample music listening lesson on themes and variations by applying research findings extracted from "What Works: Instructional Strategies for Music…

Reviews research results describing students' learning experiences and effective teaching methods. Addresses topics of music selection, influencing student preferences, and developing student perception and descriptive skills. Includes a 26-item bibliography of these studies. (NL)

Asserts that the whole-language approach is a philosophy of learning in which children construct knowledge by actively engaging in classroom projects that have real meaning for them. Describes thematic studies using a whole-language approach in which children (with teacher assistance) decide what themes will be studied. (CFR)

Contends that an integrated curriculum approach increases student motivation and makes learning easier because lessons have wider applications. Suggests that discipline-based art education promotes an interdisciplinary approach, particularly with social studies and language arts. Provides an example of an instructional unit combining social…

Presents a secondary lesson in which students examine the U.S. Constitution and decide about a simulated case of ethnic bias and discrimination. Links this case to the Japanese Relocation Camps in the United States during World War II. Provides lesson objectives, instructional procedures, and four student handouts. (CFR)

Presents four articles for elementary teachers. The first shows how teachers can guide students to write stories from personal experiences. The second offers suggestions for mathematics instruction, focusing on primary level geometry and intermediate level problem solving. The third focuses on folk-art barn paintings. The fourth uses pumpkins to…

Provides an annotated bibliography of resources on this month's theme "Design" for K-8 language arts, art and architecture, music and dance, science, math, social studies, health, and physical education. Includes Web sites, CD-ROMs and software, videos, books, audiotapes, magazines, professional resources and classroom activities.…

Presents the experience of an English instructor who worked with members of the Physics Department to revise a technical physics class. Discusses the impact of learning communities at Henry Ford Community College (Michigan) on faculty development, student performance, and institutional culture. (VWC)

Examines how software designed to complement resource-based approaches to reading and writing ("Kid's Space") fared in four elementary classrooms. Results of the pilot study indicate that given the right conditions, children write creatively in response to visual and auditory stimuli. Effective methods of integrating and valuing online work are…

Discusses why art activities are an important part of a child's development. Cites reasons open-ended art activities have a place in early childhood programs, including: children love them; art materials provide hands-on, sensory experiences; art provides an outlet for the innate creativity of children, allowing them opportunities for unique…

Discussion of distance education in the United Kingdom focuses on how teachers in primary and secondary schools can develop teaching strategies to adopt and implement distance learning practices. Topics include lifelong learning; social support; the use of technology; homework activities; teacher access to computers; and learning strategies. (LRW)