Motivated by the discovery of a bullfrog in an abandoned fallout shelter in the backyard of his parents' newly acquired farmhouse, the author challenges the reader to look for other "backyard beasties" in their own environment for help in gaining an understanding of how, when, and why interactions take place as a method of acquiring…

Fifth graders in suburban Philadelphia school districts spend a week at a vo-tech school exploring occupations through hands-on activities. Academic concepts are tied to vocational areas, demonstrating how classroom theory applies to the world of work. Vocational and academic teachers also learn from each other's methods. (SK)

Uses the philosophical concepts of MacIntyre and Aristotle to argue that experiential education (including adventure therapy and other specialties) is evolving into an independent professional practice and, as such, must deal with ethical issues and define standards of excellence. (SV)

This introduction to a special issue reviews the community service movement in the 1960s-70s, current calls for youth involvement in community service, and the semantic differences related to the term "service learning." (SK)

A hands-on science project on watersheds helps elementary students understand the water cycle. The unit, which focuses on the fact that all living things need water and that watersheds are sources of water for rivers and streams, teaches students to observe, make inferences, predict, and draw conclusions. (SM)

Profiles Art Turner, head of an interdisciplinary team of four curriculum specialists in the Oxford Hills (Maine) Schools. Originally hired to ensure elementary students' readiness for junior high school, the specialists are continuing as agents of curriculum improvement in science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts. Cooperative and…

Presents hands-on spring science activities to help elementary students think and act like scientists. Students use the scientific process to make connections between life, physical, and earth science. Activities look at insects, flowers, trees, the sun, and the earth's rotation around the sun. (SM)

Movement experience at the middle school level can fulfill selected physical, emotional, and psychological needs of students. This article discusses a curriculum design stressing indepth skill instruction, physical fitness development, and participation in risk taking and novel skill experiences. Students must have the chance to learn, practice…

This paper suggests that a play-based environment (rather than the teacher-directed activities more typical of special education) is the most natural instructional context for young children with severe disabilities. Utilization of best practices in the fields of early childhood education, early childhood special education, and education of…

The clinical phase of teacher education needs to be a shared responsibility among three equal partners: schools and school systems, colleges and universities, and professional organization of teachers. These partners must develop clinical teacher training criteria that will make teacher preparation programs effective and improve the schools…

Suggests that outdoor pursuits and adventure activities promote Maslow's goal of self-actualization. Identifies the middle-order needs (belonging and self-esteem) trap as an inhibitive barrier to growth and maturation of the personality. Proposes six mechanisms to transcend the trap in the outdoor experience. (KS)

Devised method for evaluating the experiential elements used in teaching group counseling. Analyzed questionnaire administered to group theories class and group dynamics class. Findings suggest that, in general, the experiential strategies were perceived by students as useful in learning group counseling concepts. (Author/PVV)

At De La Salle Vocational, a Philadelphia day treatment facility for youth offenders, basic skills are tied to specific job tasks through a literacy task analysis. Local businesses provide information on literacy skills needed on the job, which is integrated into instructional modules. (SK)

Howard Gardner is known for his theory of multiple intelligences, which holds that each individual's unique smartness cannot be measured by conventional IQ tests. Even the best students have flawed theories about existence and human behavior. Schools teach and assess everybody as though each has the same kind of mind. The ATLAS project respects…

Notes that limited attention has been given to the development of didactic and instructional courses addressing the needs of students. Discusses challenges facing family counseling training programs. Reviews model for didactic-experiential course and presents anecdotal, evaluative feedback given by former students. (Author/NB)