This work describes the development and evaluation of a two-session laboratory class based on Tet-on technology and sex determination in the fruit fly "Drosophila melanogaster." The Tet-on system allows conditional control of gene expression, when doxycycline is applied. A laboratory exercise has been developed to illustrate how the…

Describes a project in Missoula, Montana, where participants create shows based on personal experiences and issues for educational purposes. Notes that although the project has an educational specialist and drama coordinator, the project belongs to the adolescents, who create policy. States that drama sessions include improvisation, role playing,…

Navigation exercises in the outdoors involve interactive team skills; individual assessment of self-confidence, competence, and esteem; and leadership skills. Learning goals include planning, managing a team, handling information, allocating individual objectives, making decisions, and attending to accuracy. Provides facilitators with instructions…

Recounts how an eighth-grade teacher used reflective portfolios with her students to help them overcome their reluctance to write and to get them to see writing as a way to learn about themselves as students and as individuals. States that the teacher wanted students to be enthusiastic about writing as a part of everyday life. (PA)

Discusses how connecting students to reading requires more than just an energetic approach. Presents a framework for reading experiences: engagement, exploration, collaboration, and individual celebration. Describes a program that gives students varied opportunities to become engaged in literature, choice in what they read, time to actually read,…

Opportunities for the enhancement of total development must be available to children once they enter the educational system. The physical education program of the total school curriculum should provide these opportunities. Striving for the total development of children through physical activity is explained in the model for "thinking and feeling…

"Let's Celebrate Uniqueness" is a one-semester whole class program designed for fourth to seventh grade gifted and non-gifted students. Specific activities are suggested for the four program steps: (1) understanding the concept of uniqueness, (2) recognition of uniqueness of self, (3) recognition of uniqueness of others, (4) and valuing uniqueness…

The personal student journal is a little-used technique that holds special promise for instructors working in diverse educational settings. Journals can be used as an instructional tool for students, as a means for nurturing self-directed learning, and as a bridge to personal growth. (PP)

Describes how a discussion of "The Diary of Anne Frank" moved a class to intense discussion. Discusses how the books, and stories, and poems are invitations to a passionate engagement with human experience. Considers literature as the invitation to a dialogue, to intellectual inquiry, to tell one's own story, to participate in a society and the…

This resource booklet is designed to facilitate the teaching of group development as part of an integrated program of outdoor pursuits, environmental education and personal and group development. Section I provides a history of the Alberta Environmental and Outdoor Education Course of Studies, and the course philosophy. Resources are provided for…

Describes a critical reading unit in which one seventh-grade class read L. Sacher's "Holes" and three other classes read texts of their choosing along with a partner. Notes that the goal was to set up a context for the students, as readers, to experience the main character's growth--for them to become active, independent, passionate readers. (SC)

Describes a thematic unit for secondary education students that focuses on eight themes, with accompanying activities, on learning from mistakes, such as "mistakes are inevitable, and everyone makes them" and "making mistakes does not make you a faulty person." Provides a concluding activity on the Titanic. (CMK)

Describes a group activity that uses a tree as a metaphor to reflect both group and personal growth during adventure activities. The tree's roots represent the group's formation, the branches and leaves represent the group's diversity and capabilities, and the seeds represent the personal learning and growth that took place within the group.…

Discusses how the book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" (Stephen Covey), can be used in the elementary school to teach character education using an informal approach in a school-wide effort. Relates the seven habits to the book, "Swimmy" (Leo Lioni). Includes a trade books list and the habit(s) each address. (CMK)

Achieving Dialog, a model course in dyadic communication for close relationships, is described and presented as a new course for the counseling/human development curriculum. Research findings from a comprehensive evaluation of the Dialog course are summarized. The societal need for the course is indicated, and the educational challenge to…