Presents guidelines for developing thematic units for primary students (pick broad-based themes, gather resources, avoid time traps, let student interests guide the themes, create interactive bulletin boards, and organize materials). The article offers ideas, activities, and experiences for beginning a color unit and maintaining thematic teaching…

Students and teachers in Wichita, Kansas turned what would have been dead space'' into an outdoor classroom they call their Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Courtyard. (Author)

Article describes a class project by students interested in preserving endangered wildlife and environmental mini-courses designed to help elementary students find meaning in Earth Week celebrations. (Author/RK)

The basic and traditional aim of consumer education has been to help students learn how to make the best buy and to use income to its fullest potential. (Author)

Four elementary teachers describe how they support an interdisciplinary curriculum using integrated units. One builds tall towers of spaghetti. Another touches on all subjects using baseball card games. The third turns the playground into an archeological dig. The last sails the ocean along with the Pilgrims. (SM)

Describes one elementary school's "Living the Dream" award program named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students read and reviewed books and presented the award to the author of a recent picture book that focused on multicultural awareness. A list of suggested titles is included. (SM)

Process-centered and problem-solving software can help students develop the skills and strategies needed for independent thought. Different categories of process-centered software are described, with examples of appropriate innovative packages, as well as several classroom activities which illustrate one teacher's use of the computer to promote…

Article discusses the four elements of good elementary science programs and offers ideas for creative hands-on science and across-the-curriculum activities (e.g., a please touch science center, curriculum planning chart, and getting to know you water activity). It notes science-related events and describes four science reference books. (SM)

The study of consumer education at J. R. Rightsell Elementary School in Little Rock, Arkansas, was geared to meet the economic levels of poverty-level families and some better-than-average families in a predominantly black, low income area. (Author/NL)