This article examined the English language knowledge of four trainee English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) teachers, two who were native speakers of English and two who were nonnative speakers. An analysis of lesson-planning discussions found that the nonnative teachers had more developed and context-oriented models of language and learning than the…

Describes four main components of a constructivist science lesson or unit. A review of commonly used environmental education materials from six environmental education projects was conducted to look for these components. Parallels between teaching strategies used in environmental education and constructivist methods are discussed. (Contains 27…

Presents ideas for getting the most out of an elementary school trip to the zoo. The article offers before, during, and after lesson plans which touch on biology (the life cycle), geography (continents and regions of the world), conservation (endangered species), ecology (natural communities), and career guidance (zoo jobs). (SM)

This article reviews literature on the behavior of deaf adolescents; pinpoints problems in students' lack of social skills, decision making, and lack of goal orientation; and offers guidelines for teaching values in tandem with decision-making skills. Six sample lessons are briefly outlined, on defining problems, predicting consequences,…

Underscores the importance of population educators using specially developed instructional materials. Illustrates the evolution of population education teaching materials away from doctrinaire, sex-education-oriented materials toward materials that stimulate the active participation of students. Analyzes lessons from the Regional Programme in…

An expert teacher was studied, using ethnographic and phenomenological techniques, as he planned and taught 2 philosophy courses to gifted students, ages 12-18. The paper provides an overview of the teacher's thoughts and an explanation of the impact of an unwritten and unobservable collection of knowledge on the teacher's observable planning and…

Asserts that educators should help students to make the transition to the real world of desktop publishing (DTP) as smooth as possible by presenting DTP concepts in the classroom. Offers seven principles of page design and a classroom exercise on DTP. Reviews several word processing programs that include DTP functions. (PRA)

Defines critical thinking and provides a practical approach to applying it to teaching physical education (PE). Critical thinking in PE can result in improved skills, fitness, and knowledge. Examples of the kinds of questions and challenges appropriate for a critical thinking lesson in PE are provided. (SM)

Presents a lesson plan for grades 9 through 12 that examines the making of foreign policy based on human-rights concerns. Helps students to understand the complexities of international relations and to clarify the beliefs and values about the appropriate role of human rights when making foreign policy. Provides two handouts. (CMK)

Suggestions for creating memorable lessons that keep students' attention include the following: relate what is being taught to students' lives and interests, give students choices, show students that you enjoy teaching, include human emotion and human interest stories, reduce students' negative emotions, make lessons interesting and active, vary…

Objects to traditional scheduling practices in which band rehearsals are not started until well into the academic year. Argues that starting at the beginning of the year offers numerous advantages. Presents a number of lessons that can be employed in early band rehearsals, even before students are familiar with their instruments. (DSK)

Examines the extent to which a group of superior elementary and secondary school teachers employed systematic instructional-planning practices. The two approaches were found to be different in several important ways: teachers did not place much emphasis on specifying objectives, creating objectives-based tests, or making other instructional…

Discusses rules used in the House of Representatives from 1836 to 1844 to suppress discussions of slavery. Presents a lesson using primary documents that allows students to assess the role of the "gag rule" in creating sectional tension and to follow the transformation of an individual in the growing dispute. Includes documents. (DSK)

Sixty-one library and information science (LIS) teachers, identified as "superior," speak in behavioral terms about the way they plan, teach, and deal with students. Then six veteran observers of LIS teaching participate in a listserv discussion and reveal their views about superior LIS teaching, remediation for poor teachers, and adult learner…

Suggests simple planning and instructional strategies to improve student learning and understanding for present and long -term application. The first section discusses learner-related issues. The second section focuses on the lesson plan (the introduction, the lesson body, and the lesson closure). The third section examines other strategies for…