In this four-part lesson, students examine the concept of geographic region by exploring the history of the United States Great Plains. In Part I, students gather information about the location and environment of the Great Plains in order to produce a map outlining the region in formal terms. In Part II, students examine how the region has been…

In this lesson, students work with primary documents and latter-day photographs to recapture the experience of traveling on the Oregon Trail. The learning objectives of the lesson are: (1) to learn about the pioneer experience on the Oregon Trail; (2) to evaluate a historical re-enactment in light of documentary evidence; and (3) to synthesize…

Book Club started over 12 years ago with the goal of creating an alternative context for reading instruction--one that would get students excited about reading and discussing books. Since then, Book Club's combination of excellent literature, relevant writing activities, and student-led discussion groups has proven effective in classrooms. This…

This guide is one in a series of thematic units designed especially for deaf and hard of hearing children in kindergarten through elementary grades. The series is grounded on the principle that language instruction for these children needs to be repetitive, visual, and taught in a myriad of contexts. It utilizes the language experience approach…

Written by teachers for teachers, this book offers the first-hand perspectives of 7 teachers who used the writing workshop approach. It offers teachers in grades 1-8 a wealth of practical advice, based on the personal struggles, accomplishments, and classroom-proven solutions of the authors. Equally valuable to teachers already using writing…

This book is a collection of developmentally appropriate activities for 3- to 5-year-olds, designed to be easily integrated into the daily schedule of an early childhood program. The book's introduction describes the collection's theme units, delineates typical half- and full-day schedules, and discusses the arrangement and management of classroom…

Teacher gives a list of individual projects in her outdoor science unit. (GB)

Describes how The 14th Dragon,'' a children's book, can be used to stimulate the student's imagination in an experience approach to language and reading. (MM)

At least one Right to Read school is doing the job: A lesson plan for easy reading. (Editor)

Briefly presents research studies on efficacy of this method; discusses the teacher's role in inquiry; and provides guidelines for evaluation. A sample lesson plan on the Civil War concludes the article. (JB)

Lessons involve K-12 students in analyzing teacher-developed state and local thematic maps, identifying countries of the world with which their city has a linkage as indicated by local ethnic restaurants, discussing local companies involved in international trade, and learning about foreign-made products in their home and community. (RM)

High school students learn about city, county, and state government through field trips. Included are forms for debriefing and student and community agency staff evaluations, follow-up exercises, and lists of do's and don'ts for teacher planning. (SR)