This handbook presents a collection of over 35 experiential and adventure-based activities using only a single item of equipment--a 15-foot long section of 1-inch tubular climbing webbing, called a raccoon circle. Some of the activities are quiet, some are loud, and they range from low to high challenge levels. Different-sized groups can be…

This book offers games and mathematics activities using a hands-on approach for middle school students and features games, puzzles, experiments, and projects. Contents include: (1) "Boxed In!"; (2) "Oddball"; (3) "Pig"; (4) "Madagascar Solitaire"; (5) "Fantastic Four"; (6) "Eratosthenes' Sieve"; (7) "Hopping Hundred"; (8) "Tic-Tac-Toe Times"; (9)…

Suggests guidelines for establishing a secondary school experiential program in the areas of assessing school and student needs, setting goals and devising plans to meet the goals, planning for necessary resources (time, energy, finances, supplies), and selling the program to administrators and teachers. (NEC)

Describes activities and resources that mix fun with scholarship in a secondary, elective ornithology course: all-day and class-period field trips; use of field guides, textbooks, periodicals, films, puzzles, records, correspondence courses; bird-banding operations; wildlife rehabilitation centers; Federation of New York State Bird Clubs; New York…

The personal comments of literary naturalist, John Burroughs, whose 60-year writing career began in the 1860s, can guide writing teachers today. Recommended techniques include literary walks, a fermentation process between contact with nature and writing about it, emphasis on clarity and truth, and keeping a journal. (NEC)

Describes resources used to teach local history at the third-grade level in El Cajon, California. The content of the resources is described as well as the methods used to develop the resources. (AM)

The use of contracts in individualizing experiential learning programs is explained, its research base outlined, and sample contracts and performance objectives provided. The strategy is encouraged in part as a way for liberal arts faculty to shift roles from transmitter of knowledge to facilitator of self-directed inquiry. (MSE)

Describes a one-semester course in educational psychology for preservice teachers designed to give students the experience of participating in group-centered teaching and classroom meetings. A questionnaire was used to assess one aspect of the experiential approach An attempt was made to demonstrate that humanistic methods are viable in…

Suggests that citizenship cannot be effectively taught through school-focused programs emphasizing knowledge acquisition. Advocates an active approach which allows students to learn skills by experimenting and practicing them both in and out of school. Cites supportive research and three sample programs. (SJL)

Presents critical issues including mechanics, literacy and terminology, usual learning style, participant background, verbal and nonverbal language use, and initial activities which experiential learning facilitators should consider when working in developing countries. (CMV)

A fifth- and sixth-grade project is described that requires each student to build a bridge to specified dimensions using only specified materials. (MK)

Although the gypsy moth defoliates over 2 million trees annually, it can serve as an extremely valuable tool for promoting environmental awareness. The gypsy moth can illustrate insect life cycles, sexual dimorphism, scent attraction, many stimulus response experiments, evolution, natural controls, and pesticide uses and dangers. (SB)

The sport of orienteering is described briefly and ideas are presented that may be useful to the earth science teacher. (SA)

Out-of-school activities are described for students enrolled in health courses. (JD)

The product of an Indian Heritage Workshop for teachers, this article describes a three-way value comparison of American Indian attitudes, Christian views, and the science of ecology. A chart depicting these differing philosophies and a list of activities constitute the basis for a teacher exercise aimed at communication skills, science, and the…