The academic needs of gifted students are qualitatively different from those of regular students. This document describes a course that is differentiated for gifted students in the areas of content, process, learning environment, and product. Emphasis is placed on higher order thinking skills through independent study dealing with real world…

This article reviews common curricular alternatives for addressing the science education needs of secondary students with learning disabilities. A curriculum revision method emphasizing models and context-rich problem solving is proposed as an alternative to the traditional uses of direct instruction, mnemonics, graphic organizers, and study…

Presented are the results of a survey of elementary school principals designed to determine whether problem solving and critical thinking skills are an integral part of the science curriculum in elementary schools. Curriculum orientation, amount of problem solving, and problem-solving/higher-order thinking priorities are discussed. (CW)

Recent thinking about the mathematics being used in science courses, with an emphasis on problem solving, is reviewed. Data from a survey of the mathematics content in secondary science textbooks are then presented, with suggestions for science instruction. (MNS)

Mess Management is considered here as collective problem solving. Describes an example of a program for gifted elementary students emphasizing problem solving skills. A sample strategy is included. (MA)

Proposes that students learn and do chemistry based on their own beliefs. Expresses concern that the educational system supports and rewards the learning of facts over the learning of concepts and general skills. Offers suggestions for instructional improvement. (TW)

Discusses reasons for the failure of the post-Sputnik science curricula and offers criteria for selecting relevant curriculum content, suggesting that these curricula focus on problem-solving. Lists seven problem areas (technological, environmental, empirical, historical, aesthetic, philosophical, and futuristic) with recommended topics for each…

Described is an undergraduate biology course which uses exercises for teaching critical thinking. A line-of-reasoning model is presented. Evidence for the effectiveness of this approach is presented. (CW)

The goal of this guide is to address a major environmental dilemma: worldwide habitat destruction and the disappearance of species. This guide is one of six that are included in the Habitat Ecology Learning Program (HELP), a holistic life science curriculum that involves students in an in-depth study of ecology. HELP includes six teaching guides…

The goal of this guide is to address a major environmental dilemma: worldwide habitat destruction and the disappearance of species. This guide is one of six that are included in the Habitat Ecology Learning Program (HELP), a holistic life science curriculum that involves students in an in-depth study of ecology. HELP includes six teaching guides…

This teacher's guide presents current scientific research on the process of human learning and stresses the importance of metacognition. Focus is placed on the integrated pair of concepts, emotion and attention, with analogies to traffic conditions being employed to aid understanding. Background information on human emotion and attention, a…

As the nation's schools respond to calls for improved science education, educators are faced with the challenge of making what is learned in the classroom applicable to what is happening in society. This newsletter article discusses constructive and erroneous definitions of science, identifies several national reform efforts in the area of science…

Renewal is the focus of this curriculum designed for students in kindergarten through Grade 8. The purpose of this guide is to educate students and teachers about the problems faced in managing the amount of solid waste generated by society. Each grade level curriculum is organized into activities that support exploration of the nature of solid…

The Individualized Eclectic Examination is described. The format, design, and philosophy of the examination that emphasizes problem solving are discussed. Sample questions, student projects, and an illustration of the implementation of the exam are included. (CW)

Describes a model that teaches a problem-solving process and provides students with the opportunity to practice, develop, and enhance their thinking skills. States that applying learning to real problems is needed to increase a student's thinking ability. Provides diagrams of the problem-solving cycle and levels of thinking. (RT)