Smartphones used as tools provide opportunities for the teaching of the concepts of accuracy and precision and the mathematical concept of arctan. The accuracy and precision of a trigonometric experiment using entirely mechanical tools is compared to one using electronic tools, such as a smartphone clinometer application and a laser pointer. This…

Solar current is an increasingly important aspect of modern life and will be even more so crucial in the students' future. Encouraging students to be the "toolmakers" allows students to take ownership of scientific investigations, as well as forcing them to refine their research questions and hypothesis, including the design and…

During a 10-week classroom-based study, 20 fourth grade students participated in a number of interdependent activities that focused on developing their visual meaning-making skills and competencies. As well as reading, responding in writing to and discussing a selection of picturebooks, graphic novels, and magazines, the students created graphic…

This article presents a report of a pedagogic experience carried out in a Portuguese 6th-grade music education class during the 2008-2009 school year. A podcast was created (www.podomatic.com) and several activities were developed, in classroom context, taking advantage of the tool's potential for teaching and learning. Although the podcast was…

Films are often used in schools to illustrate geography, but doing so may favor mainly passive learning. An experiment with twenty-eight pupils aged thirteen years (a whole class) had the aim of using cinema to promote active geographical learning. First, it was ascertained what the dominant geographical stereotypes were among the pupils and the…

Suggestions for using various dramatic techniques including a student-written cabaret to teach German at all levels of proficiency are described. The method promotes language proficiency, is pedagogically sound, flexible, rewarding, and fun. It can be adapted for use in teaching other languages. (PMJ)

Erick Gordon, founding director of the Student Press Initiative, illustrates collaborations with teachers and students that have motivated students to invest themselves in the process and product of writing, including research, oral history, revision, and an immersion in and commitment to community.

Provides steps for making papier-mache birds, the final activity in a fifth and sixth grade class study project. (RL)

This article deals with the basic techniques of teaching entire classes to cooperatively develop simulation games. The first section presents a model which serves as a nucleus for developing the instructional strategies in the second section. (Author/KM)

The author describes a secondary level course in which students make their own audiovisual productions to illustrate social studies issues. (DE)

A classroom "Whiz Quiz," patterned after a television academic game show, was conducted by students in a college German class. The game was conducted entirely in German and sample questions are reproduced here. (CHK)

Describes procedures for designing trivia games to be used in teaching English as a second language. The students participate in designing the games, thereby gaining practice in the four basic language skills and the formation of yes-no questions, information questions, and statements. Provides examples for young intermediate ESL students. (SED)

Pantomime, the use of the body to communicate without words, is a natural activity for children, an ancient art which is enjoying new popularity. Presented are tips on teaching mime to children. (Author/KC)

The language experience approach (LEA) is a means of using the knowledge of language and one's life experiences to create materials for reading and thoughtful consideration. Therefore, LEA seems to be a viable approach to use both with students who are not familiar with the language used or experiences described in a textbook and with older…

Describes innovative ways elementary teachers turned watching and producing television programs into active, hands-on learning. Students created a videotaped student book review program, watched the weather channel, viewed public television's after school "Homework Helpline," and tuned into educational programs that could be linked to…