Provides a lesson plan using historical photographs to teach local history in elementary school social studies classes. Suggests sources and copying procedures. Employs cooperative learning strategies in which students title photographs and describe what they see, then compare their findings with those of other groups and with historical…

In response to optometry student complaints about group scores as an inadequate reflection of individual effort, two different procedures for assessing individual contributions to a group learning project were investigated, one based on evaluations by students outside the group and one using student evaluations of their fellow group members'…

Presents Gold Rush Day, an annual eight-week project emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach for fourth graders. Describes the preparation and implementation of the project. Includes a description of interdisciplinary learning achievements. (CFR)

Describes home writing activities of six-year-old students in a Massachusetts home-classroom study, noting how parents contributed to writing development. Students received "The Writing Box," filled with writing materials, for use at home and school. The combination of parental support and the Writing Box facilitated children's…

Describes how a sixth grade class in Findlay, Ohio, became involved in events in McClellanville, South Carolina, where Hurricane Hugo severely damaged a school. After students viewed a videotape of the damage, they planned actions to provide relief that ultimately involved their entire school. Underscores the project's meaningfulness and…

Outlines a project designed to inform students about library reference sources essential to an introductory course in comparative politics. Suggests how the project can incorporate current topics. Stresses the importance of student familiarity with periodical guides, newspaper indexes, standard biographical sources, and yearbooks. (CH)

Asserts that social studies instruction can help teach mathematical reasoning skills through integrated activities. Recommends heterogeneous grouping to ensure that students have access to mathematics instruction. Includes four activities combining social studies content with mathematical skill instruction. (CFR)

Contends that, despite increasingly sophisticated means of communication, posters remain a powerful cornerstone of many government advertising campaigns. Describes the beginnings and evolution of Smokey Bear from a World War II homefront poster to an ongoing advertising success. (CFR)

Presents two activities from an "Idea Bank for Teaching Germany and Europe U.S. Classrooms K-12." Includes a role playing exercise involving significant individuals from European history and a student project involving cooperative learning about individual European nations. Provides an address for obtaining a free copy of the "Idea…

Provides a model that maps out five stages of relating library and scientific research: (1) establish an interest; (2) narrow a topic; (3) clarify the variables; (4) refine the procedures; and (5) interpret the unexpected. Provides a student questionnaire for selecting a topic and a format for general note taking. (MDH)

Outlines six steps for creating meaningful student projects using experiential learning: (1) make learning relevant; (2) make knowledge useful and creative; (3) get the students involved; (4) limit dead-end projects; (5) have students apply what they are learning to life; and (6) maximize community involvement. Describes model projects. (MJP)

Describes implementation of the Reggio Approach in a university preschool. Summarizes the learning assumptions and teaching methods used. Examines the parent-teacher, teacher-teacher, and teacher-child partnerships; and describes and reflects on student projects related to dinosaurs, kites, castles, princes, and princesses. Discusses the impact on…

Argues that the power of technology is its ability to transform instruction by breaking down geographical and logistical barriers; while not replacing actual museums, virtual museums contribute by bringing their collections to students. Outlines a project in which students create their own virtual museum. Includes Web addresses for virtual…

The Foxfire core practices are woven into all class activities at a multiage, inclusive K-2 class in Asheville (North Carolina), characterized by active learning, small-group work, and peer teaching. Students are more motivated and have higher self-esteem when they make decisions. All practices met the state's curriculum and testing requirements.…

Describes an exercise, step-by-step, for developing critical thinking while exposing students to electronic-data skills. Argues that the exercise enhances critical thinking by forcing students to deal with issues of data definition, collection, and interpretation, and by providing an active learning experience with real-world data. (DSK)