Examines the proposed definition of biological literacy as the understanding of a small number of pervasive biological principles appropriate to making informed personal and societal decisions. Utilizes the content of a major daily newspaper to adjust biology instruction to focus on this notion of biological literacy. Discusses benefits and…

Describes the roles of reading professionals in school, focusing on whole-language learning and noting implications of those roles for administrators and teacher educators; lists recommendations for administrators and teacher educators who wish to support the development of whole-language instruction. (SM)

Five boys and five girls each in grades one through six (n=60 students) asked controversial questions in interviews, recognized the lack of social consensus on the controversial topics and made subtle distinctions between controversial and noncontroversial topics. Implications for discussion of controversial issues in the classroom are discussed.…

Daniel Webster Accelerated School in San Francisco (California) is one of two schools adopting the process of school change developed by H. M. Levin. An interview with Levin explains his philosophy of accelerated schools characterized by (1) unity of purpose; (2) school site responsibility; and (3) building on strengths. (SLD)

This paper describes (1) the role of reflection in learning and teaching as presented at a Philippines-Australia Science and Mathematics Education Project training program; (2) the use of writing as a tool for reflection; and (3) examples of teacher reactions to the training on reflection. (25 references) (MDH)

Examines ways in which language practices in the classroom, particularly those involved with reading and writing stories, are gendered literary practices. Argues that the gendered nature of classroom literacy practices requires more critical scrutiny and that texts cannot be treated as separate from their cultural production. (SLD)

Examines the role of education in creating unjust gender arrangements in society through language policies and the discursive practices that it legitimates. Because these practices are in areas in which schools take responsibility, they are open to changes in educational policy. Recommendations are made for change. (SLD)

A total of 98 elementary school teachers described their strategies for dealing with problem students and the ways in which they would handle incidents presented in 2 vignettes. Teachers usually reported the same strategies but differed in the coherence and elaboration with which they articulated the strategies. (MDM)

Reports results of a survey of 36 college students who played the Commons Game. This game was developed to illustrate the behavioral patterns, complexities, and frustrations involved in management of commons resources, cited as a major concern for future generations. (10 references) (MCO)

Presents information on the Capac Nan, the highway system of the Incas. Describes its use by the Spanish conquistadors in the destruction of the Incan empire. Includes suggested classroom uses for the article, a homework assignment, and discussion topics. (DK)

Presents results of a questionnaire asking Japanese teachers how and what they teach about World War II. Reports that survey included broad and narrow questions on the war in Asia, Europe, and the Pacific. Concludes that Japan's postwar peace education has been a success but that more emphasis needs to be placed on cause and effect in history. (DK)

Early efforts at multicultural education have largely been compensatory attempts to address inequities in cultural representation. What is needed is a rewriting of the entire master script of curriculum to eliminate implicit racism, classism, and sexism. Examples from U.S. history illustrate the scope of revision needed in education. (SLD)

Explores the relationships among family, community, and classroom teaching as they inform the perspectives of African-Canadian women teachers on teaching African-Canadian children. Interviews and observations of five teachers demonstrate how they fight for social justice and the academic achievement of their students. (SLD)

Presents four innovative game-oriented activities designed to reinforce computational and place value skills involving whole and rational numbers. The games ask students to use randomly chosen numerals to formulate problems involving given operations or concepts whose responses come closest to target responses. (MDH)

Teachers must acknowledge and validate minority students' home language without using it to limit their potential. Educators who are committed to teaching all students can help such students transcend their home language, acquire a secondary discourse, and succeed in mainstream schools without losing respect for their home culture. (SM)