Practical classroom activities for teaching narrative/descriptive writing exist which are based on approaches to teaching writing that research indicates improve the quality of student writing. Teachers need to do less lecturing to students about what they should be doing in their writing and more actively involve their students in the learning of…

The distinction between the participant and spectator functions of language are used to describe the teaching skills of a fourth grade teacher during a unit of instruction. This study documented the science instruction of a teacher who 20 years ago majored in teaching reading. In recent years she has taken steps to develop skill and knowledge in…

In an attempt to combat the problem of poor writing and problem-solving skills among technical program graduates, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada began implementing changes in its Computer Studies curriculum. The first change was a greater focus on improving students' writing skills. Writing assignments were…

For this practicum, a program of multimedia peer dramatic presentations was developed to improve the vocabulary skills of middle school students. Each week for 10 weeks a target group of 18 randomly selected students viewed 5 short video skits (produced by broadcast arts students) which were designed to introduce and define new vocabulary terms;…

Two groups of freshman students participated in the experiment. They were enrolled in their first ESL writing course. Before instruction, both groups were pre-tested. They wrote an essay. T-test results showed significant differences between both groups in writing ability. The experimental group made too many errors and had many writing problems.…

The book describes one teacher's study of student journal writing in college-level English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction and explores the potential of student journals in second language teaching. It first introduces the research questions and methods guiding the study, then reviews the literature that informed the investigation of mental…

Presents a syllabus for an introductory political science course. Includes a course outline, description, list of textbooks and readings, requirements, and grading policy. The course is structured in thematic units including the context of politics, acting in politics, the work of government, and alternative arenas of government. (MJP)

Introduces the censorship, and imprisonment of Jehovah's Witnesses who distributed, "The Finished Mystery," which contained antiwar statements deemed seditious during World War I. Asks students to examine a Justice Department document pertaining to the case. Helps students decide whether national security needs should override First…

Maintains that California teachers are now responsible for preparing students for the new California Learning Assessment System (CLAS) test. Discusses the multiple choice, written response, primary source, and essay writing sections of the test. Provides suggestions for scoring essays and having students evaluate each other's writing. (CFR)

Explored relationships between middle school students' writing processes and their written products. Results suggest that students need to engage in a variety of writing tasks; teachers must be aware of the complexity involved in composing to assess progress; editing must be kept in its proper perspective; and teachers should recognize that…

Maintains that teaching is, among other things, the art of connecting students with course content in personal, relevant, and exciting ways. Presents three classroom lessons that incorporate journals, plays, and essays into social studies teaching. Includes discussion questions and follow-up assignments. (CFR)

Maintains traditional grading techniques can be a form of authentic assessment. Discusses three aspects of authentic assessment: (1) interdisciplinary problem-solving; (2) grading process as well as the product; and (3) developing a grading rubric to be shared with students. (CFR)

Uses ethnic recipes to analyze new and old world post-Columbian exchange of domesticated plants and animals in an introductory cultural geography course. Describes student research projects and includes tables of domesticated plants and animals by region and use. Also provides two student sample recipes with lists of ingredient origins. (NL)

Uses Japanese family crests to motivate students to construct a family history. Includes background information on Japanese history and culture. Provides an outline for the student research project. Supplies a list of Japanese emblems and their symbolism. (NL)

Examines music terminology acquisition of 71 undergraduate students in an elementary music-methods course. Observes effects of differential training by testing for apparent knowledge transfer in written concert reports. Finds students whose vocabulary lessons were reinforced by listening exercises used music terminology more frequently. (CH)