Suggests the use of picture books to teach the five fundamental themes of geography in the primary grades. Describes the use of maps which follow the paths of characters in children's literature. Discusses the use of four stories that are accompanied by maps and follow-up activities. Includes reproducible maps. (KO)

Presents an activity in which students collect and organize data from a real-world simulation of the scientific concept of half life. Students collect data using a marble sifter, analyze the data using a graphing calculator, and determine an appropriate mathematical model. Includes reproducible worksheets. (MDH)

Contends that nothing can prepare a student teacher for their feelings the first time they step in front of a classroom. Presents reflections and suggestions for student teachers. Includes recommendations on classroom management, learning resources, and student teacher-student interaction. (CFR)

Describes the development of a statewide delivery system in Wyoming for an inservice teacher education course on the integration of computer-based technologies into elementary/middle school classrooms. The Portal School system, where teachers attend leadership workshops and then deliver the off-campus courses, is explained. Sample lesson plans are…

Describes methods of using technology in a preservice social studies methods course that show how technology can support teacher planning and how technology can increase teacher effectiveness. Knowledge of instructional materials is discussed, and how to demonstrate the integration of technology into the curriculum through simulations for decision…

Describes an eight-day graphing unit for grades four through six using data collected from a local cemetery. Provides the activities of each day and excerpts of discussions taking place during the lessons. Concludes that working with real data helps students construct meaningful graphs. (MDH)

Describes a step-by-step procedure that enables teachers to develop lessons that effectively use software or special calculators in the classroom. Problem-solving strategies and questions are determined that correspond to the technology through which students are able to construct their own knowledge. Illustrates the procedure using spreadsheets,…

Reviews the Using World Issues in the News (U-WIN) program developed for a six-county area in Indiana served by the "Indianapolis News" newspaper. Explains and evaluates program implementation: articles on world issues published in the newspaper for classroom use; lesson packets; workshops; site visits; and presentations. Concludes the…

Presents activities in which students develop and analyze scatterplots on graphing calculators to model corn growth, decay, a box of maximum volume, and weather prediction. Provides reproducible worksheets. (MDH)

Provides lesson plans for library media activities for grades 3-4 reading/language arts, grades 3-5 art/social studies, grades 4-5 physical education/social studies, grades 4-6 science, grades 4-8 reading/language arts, and grades 6-7 social studies. Lists print and nonprint resources and discusses library media skills and subject area objectives,…

Presents a high school lesson plan to teach students that democratic citizenship is not passive and to prepare them to take part in grassroots education and action. Presents a historical overview of campaign-finance debates and a series of activities that use this material to engage students in their own debates. (DSK)

Maintains that Pica's resource book is an excellent guide for educators seeking new movement activities to perform with young children. Asserts that the organization of the book offers clear directions for the activities and proposes guidelines to transform the activities in interesting ways. Notes that the book sometimes does not provide specific…

Introduces Internet field trips as a means of instruction for diverse student populations; explores the Mayan mathematics system in an interdisciplinary fourth grade math lesson; suggests strategies for students with limited English proficiency base on TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages); and includes a sample lesson plan.…

When teachers become involved in induction programs like California's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program, the principal's role becomes crucial. To support new teachers, principals can adjust working conditions, provide more release time for lesson planning, connect formative and evaluative assessment goals, and support collaborative…

The purpose of this study is to analyse science and mathematics lesson plans prepared in the light of drama based instruction by preservice elementary teachers. For this purpose, 12 female participants were chosen volunteerly. They gained basic knowledge and experience about creative drama by involving sample creative drama activities and lesson…