Argues that the conflict between elevator and railway operators and the grain farmers of western Canada was not so one-sided as typically presented in high school textbooks. Concludes that the 'courts' of Canadian history have promoted a 'rural myth' of the grain growers associations, the cooperative spirit of the 'Wheat Pools,' and the political…

This article shows how to convert expository textbook material into puzzling mysteries for students. The five-step instructional process is illustrated with two sample lessons. Includes student handouts. (JDH)

Analysis of subtopics of evolution in 22 high school biology textbooks shows a mean of 12 percent of total text devoted to evolution, with a decrease in attention from 1963 to 1983. Various text examples are presented to support the discussion, and implications for science teaching are addressed. (DH)

Presents the results of a review of chemistry textbooks aimed at finding values for the equilibrium acidity constant for water and the hydronium ion. Only three of 23 give correct quantitative values for water and none for hydronium. Provides calculations of the constant for both water and the hydronium ion. (JM)

Content has dominated and will likely continue to dominate high school social studies education. Process, or learning how to learn, except in a minority of classrooms, will continue to receive only accidental attention. Reasons why are discussed. (RM)

The transition of American Revolutionary studies in British upper primary and secondary schools from a rather smug Victorian notion of a gracious monarch granting ungrateful colonies their independence to a more sophisticated and varied treatment is examined. (RM)

Secondary-level history textbooks' treatments of United States-Soviet relations can be biased and misleading. Ideological treatments present the relationship as a struggle between good and evil; "real politik" treatments recognize opposing viewpoints but are usually subordinate interpretations. Neither approach discusses U.S.-Soviet…

The author defines metals technology and industrial arts and argues for teaching modern metalworking concepts in the industrial arts metalworking class. A general metalworking outline of topics is listed which reflects much of the current technology in this field. (CT)

Concludes that the textbook series examined contained questions that required some higher order thinking, but no opportunities for expansion, no integrated sets of questions focusing on particular concepts or skills, and no sets of open questions focusing on particular concepts or skills. Reveals that textbooks for poor readers included more…

Mathematics textbooks should encourage students to understand--as well as to memorize--problem-solving processes, to think about the reasonableness of an answer, and to "see" mathematics through real-life applications. Eight questions are given which can help schools determine whether a textbook truly emphasizes problem-solving. (PP)

Parents and others in the community have a significant stake in the schools of the public. Their thoughts on the curriculum and the selection of texts must be given serious consideration by the school boards and professional educators. (Author/RK)

A discussion of the change-agent role of the textbook. The changes sweeping vocational education are also examined in terms of their effects on the market for vocational education textbooks. (HD)

A West Virginia educator reviews the MACOS controversy and the 1974 textbook feud in his state. Such curriculum struggles result in part, he says, from growing federal influence on education, dating to the cold war and the civil rights movement. (Author)

Language teachers can also provide cultural instruction. Language texts may be adapted for such use by relating language structures to cultural background and providing cultural reading in English and the target language. Basic patterns of living such as work, play, time, religion, economy can be used to organize language teaching. (CHK)