This brief biographical sketch of Maria Montessori focuses on her philosophy of learning and her methods of teaching. Her holistic approach to education is discussed in the light of its impact on educational theories and practices in the early 1900s. Included in this discussion is a description of her theories, such as the developmental stages of…

This experimental investigation compared the traditional and wholistic approaches to physical fitness. Volunteers from a physical education class were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: physical fitness, fitness/stress management, and fitness/stress management/wellness. A control group was selected from volunteers of a personal health…

Four true stories reveal how teachers used Sylvia Ashton Warner's ideas of "organic teaching" and "key vocabulary" to reach apparently unreachable students. The essence of the organic method of teaching is that it touches those things very deep and very real within the child. Teachers who can remain comfortable while taking the…

This paper is the second of a series of three which attempt to integrate categories of description aimed at characterizing the experience of learning in terms of the logical relationships that exist between them. The description of the qualitatively different ways in which various aspects of reality are experienced and conceptualized, and the…

Describes the Whole Child Initiative, a partnership among government, private business, and a university designed to promote positive youth development by creating a community-based system that builds support networks at home, school, and community in a comprehensive and integrated manner. (SO)

Argues that physical education should be given a more prominent place in a wholistic education. States the objectives of physical education as enhancing (1) fitness, (2) neuromuscular skills, (3) value development, and (4) intellect. (CH)

In contrast to traditional practices in reading and writing assessment which focus on fragmented, isolated skills, a holistic approach to assessment is recommended. Children's reading and writing are seen as communicative behaviors which are effectively evaluated through systematic observation as they occur in natural settings. (JW)

The article outlines a classroom-tested holistic language arts curriculum for the junior high resource room. The program covers reading, vocabulary building, comprehension, use of visual aid strategies, use of auditory/linguistic comprehension strategies, writing, listening, and speaking. Advantages of the curriculum include individualization,…

Argues foremost challenge to humanistic educators is to address seriously, both in theory and in practice, issues of meaningful values education and social action. Presents four domains of the educational process and three levels of values education, then integrates the two models into a 12-field grid of holistic learning processes. (Author/NB)

Historical and present-day ideas concerning recovery of higher brain functions and cognitive retraining after traumatic brain injury are considered. Clinical guidelines for helping patients understand and compensate for residual higher cerebral deficits are suggested. A holistic- or milieu-oriented program is considered the most helpful…

Questions the effectiveness of specialized research because of the fragmentation of knowledge. Argues that inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional research are needed to restore a sense of wholeness to the process of inquiry. Discusses the importance and the advantages of inter-disciplinary research and describes such a program. (GEA)

Proposes that a new systemic, organic world view is needed to guide future thought and action for the environment. States that an understanding of history is critical in the development of an integrative environmental ethic. Also offers a philosophical framework that recognizes the integrity of human communities and natural systems. (ML)

A study used the naturalistic method of inquiry in order to investigate the CAI (Computer Assisted Instruction) contribution to students' performance in arithmetic and to identify possible problems. The study was aimed at understanding the holistic environment of students' individualized drill in arithmetic with the computer. (BS)

This article reviews the major components of Viktor Lowenfeld's approach to art education, devoting specific attention to the misconceptions often attributed to his use of developmental stages. Notes that Lowenfeld was not the first individual to describe developmental stages in art learning and promotes a more accurate interpretation of how…

Examines three world views influencing curriculum development--atomism (underpinning competency-based education), pragmatism (promoting inquiry-based approaches), amd holism (associated with confluent or Waldorf education). Holism embodies the perennial philosophy and attempts to integrate cognitive, affective, and transpersonal dimensions,…