Suggests the following small group activities for improving reading comprehension: (1) introductory activities; (2) studying symbolic episodes; (3) synthesizing ideas within a literary unit; and (4) weaning students from teacher dependence. (JAD)

Presents an inquiry unit of study focusing on the question of rights of smokers and nonsmokers as it may be acted out in a court of law. Includes two phases of data collection, beginning with a springboard scenario and incorporating a simulation during the hypothesis testing stage of the inquiry. References are provided. (LS)

FAST I (Foundational Approach to Science Teaching I) is an inquiry and inductive-reasoning approach to learning physical science, ecology, and relational study. The program was successfully adapted for middle school students with mild disabilities. Teacher preparation, classroom groupings, behavior management procedures, evaluation, and…

Discusses one teacher educator's difficulties in familiarizing Hungarian trainee teachers of English as a Second Language with tasks aimed at raising their awareness of English as a system and as a language in use. Inquiry-based language activities can pose a formidable challenge to non-native teachers' expectations and beliefs about language. (23…

This article presents excerpts from an inquiry group involving preservice teachers during a one-year internship. The inquiry group supported the interns in pursuing questions that arose out of their own practice. The excerpts illustrate three central topics (classroom management, curriculum and planning, and assessment), noting the challenges that…

Despite some concerns about its limitations, one college English teacher has found the reflective judgment model (1) very useful in a first-year course on the Vietnam War for understanding students' processes of deliberation, (2) supportive of undergraduate teaching approaches that emphasize critical inquiry, and (3) helpful in guiding responses…

The reasoning abilities to be expected of the concrete operational and formal operational student, the percentage of secondary science students that are capable of each type of reasoning pattern, and effective strategies to teach science to concrete reasoners are described. Implications for curriculum development are discussed. (KR)

Adopting an inquiry approach to teaching by learning the techniques of classroom assessment can give an instructor a much clearer picture of how his teaching affects student learning. This chapter describes the approach and how it is being used in a variety of classrooms. (Author/MLW)

This article organizes what is known about teacher staff development into five models currently being espoused and used. Supporting theory and research on these models are reviewed, and a description is given of what is currently known about the organizational context that is required to support successful staff development efforts. (Author/IAH)

Describes the "Physics by Inquiry" course that is designed to address student misconceptions. Explains how the course was taught at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for teachers and how it was taught at Ohio State University for elementary-education majors. Concludes the course is exportable to many different environments…

Potential extinction of the human smallpox virus lies in the hands of a few scientists and policymakers. Whether this decision should be made can serve as an excellent issue for extended, focused classroom discussion. Outlines the history of smallpox, illustrates the debate, and describes preparation needed before discussing the issue. Also…

Presents research on the scientific question-posing capabilities of 10th-grade students (n=127) who were studying air quality in a cooperative way using the jigsaw method. Finds that the difference between students at high and low academic levels to the extent of increase in both number and complexity of posed questions was significant. Contains…

Describes the development of the practices and perspectives of one elementary school teacher as she engaged in teacher-as-researcher methodology in both urban and suburban settings. Documents how the teacher-as-researcher began to explore science inquiry in an elementary setting and how students, parents, and educators became co-learners,…

Presents examples of chemical education research that illustrate changes in focus, method, and direction over the past 50 years. Contains more than 50 references. (WRM)

This theory-based article describes how data analysis tools, simulations, and modeling software, when used in the proper instructional contexts, provide young learners with rich intellectual environments for inquiry in science learning. Highlights include inquiry learning; abilities of learners; and the integration of technology within classroom…