A new journal feature shares practical ideas in experiential education in less than 800 words. This issue presents an initiative problem, rules for rope push, exercise illustrating dependence on schedules, how to experience a handicap, maple sugaring project, assignment bridging the generation gap, simulating literary experiences, and local…

How to use elementary school children as curators of a classroom museum is described. The teacher decides the concept or unit to be showcased in the museum. As curators students are responsible for many tasks including writing descriptive paragraphs for the artifacts and arranging the artifact display. (RM)

Presents a potpourri of environmental education activities for grades K-12. Activities are grouped according to the subject areas of science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, and fine arts. (AIM)

Describes a northern Ontario high school carpentry class that incorporated experiential and adventure elements into the curriculum. Discusses how class activities met students' aesthetic, social, and self-concept needs; stimulated exploration into other subject areas; developed decision-making skills and group cooperation; and created connections…

Play allows children to make creative discoveries. This is a result of the fact that creation comes from tinkering and the absence of fear of failure, rather than from minds trained to follow what is already known. Suggestions for building a curriculum based on serious play are offered. (LB)

Describes a mathematics and science course designed to inspire early childhood education preservice teachers. They learn to interest young children by engaging in the kinds of science and math activities used with young children. These activities arouse feelings, stimulate curiosity, and offer opportunity for engagement. (SM)

Discusses the rationale for Academy of Inquiry and Talent Development enrichment projects in middle schools and provides examples of the activities pursued in these projects. Considers the authentic-learning and real-life problem-solving objectives of the projects, their organization, and the three types of enrichment: general exploratory, group…

This book offers alternative approaches for local hiking events, such as creating extensive science, math or art projects, in order to energize a group of children. Chapter 1, "Getting Started," provides details on planning a hike, including getting supports, managing materials, setting the tone, questioning techniques, basic ecological…

Details the middle school implementation of an Academies of Inquiry and Talent Development enrichment program involving authentic-learning and real-life problem solving objectives. Considers start-up issues of orientation for students and parents, as well as teacher planning. Also considers issues of maintaining high standards, finding time for…

Discusses ways of awakening urban youth to the presence of the natural world in the city and thereby fostering their sense of stewardship toward their own place. Describes activities involving observation and exploration of small bits of ground, connection of these micro-environments to larger environmental processes, reflection exercises, and…

Maintains that understanding and implementing the National Geography Standards through simulation techniques can be a powerful tool for studying any cultural region. Provides a step-by-step instruction for creating a classroom field trip simulation. Includes tips for follow-up activities and assessment procedures. (MJP)

Unlike units and themes in the early childhood and primary curriculum, projects are defined as children's in-depth investigations of various topics--ideally, topics worthy of the children's time and energy. As increasing numbers of teachers and school districts incorporate project work into their curriculum, questions have been raised about what…

The problems and challenges of teaching adolescents are discussed in this collection of essays on middle school education. Part I introduces five basic themes that underly suggestions and considerations offered in subsequent writings. These basic themes--Community, Caring, Connectedness, Color, and Collaboration--are the "Five C's" that form the…

Describes a community study project that uses history and the five fundamental themes of geography as a framework. The project involves organizing committees to study the need for a traffic signal in a small town. By studying various dimensions of the issue, the committees are able to demonstrate the need for a signal. (KO)

This guide to designing activity-oriented classrooms for grades K-3 is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 provides an overview of research findings concerning the way children learn and the environments that best facilitate their learning. Chapter 2, which explains ways to set up an activity-oriented classroom, covers the administration's role…