For availability see EC 091 1739

This article describes an economics trail which aims to encourage elementary and secondary students to use their knowledge of economics in looking at their local surroundings. For availability, see SO 505 564. (Author/AV)

Is it worthwhile? "Mais oui," claims one teacher. Is it fun? "Oui, wheee!" exclaim youngsters who explore another language. (Editor)

Examines current arguments regarding the role of creativity in education. Suggests that educators often minimize the importance of the relationship of creativity to tangible creative works. Indicates that creative processes can best serve educational purposes when they are directly tied to the constraints of developing actual projects. (30…

Summarizes recent ERIC documents and journal articles that discuss the use of the project approach as a teaching method in early childhood education. Provides paragraph-length abstracts of nine ERIC documents and seven journal articles, as well as information about ERIC and ordering ERIC documents. (EV)

Discussion of instructional design strategies focuses on principles to create faster, cheaper, and better strategies by using unconventional methods. Presents six case studies that show how training objectives were met and discusses basic principles of training design activities compared to traditional instructional systems design, including a…

This article presents a practical guide to help professionals develop techniques and materials that motivate preschool-age children to learn to use low vision devices. Skills for optical-device training and sample training activities for monocular and magnifier use are outlined. (Author/DB)

A number of hands-on science activities are suggested to acquaint children with the variety and properties of polymers. Common polymers are listed; individual and group activities are described; and a reproducible worksheet is included. (IAH)

Creating a class book can be an effective way to stimulate early elementary students' creativity and self-expression. The six steps are to: introduce the project; create the story; decide who does what; get it down on paper; put it all together; and share the experience. (SM)

Describes the Guided Reading and Summarizing Procedure (GRASP), a classroom procedure for teaching students how to compose summaries of their reading. Describes the basic steps needed to implement the procedure: (1) preparing the students for the lesson; (2) reading for information; (3) organizing remembered information; and (4) writing the…

The technique of using "seed problems" involves starting with a simple problem and seeing how far it leads. It may inspire different, related problems, or it may be approached with varied tools. Problems related to points and lines, pyramids, Pythagorean quadruples, and regular pentagons are discussed. (MNS)

An approach to teaching factors and terms is offered that builds directly on students' knowledge of arithmetic. Errors arising from factor and term confusions are noted, followed by the pedagogical strategy of exploration, invention, and discovery. (MNS)

Discusses the rules for two theater games that train students to focus on objectives: (1) Time Bomb, in which students must maintain eye contact with the instructor, or the instructor will "blow up"; (2) Red Light, Green Light, which may be used with younger students--the object is to tag the person who is "it." (PA)

Describes activities for helping children develop skills in quantitative observations. (PR)

Considers the potential of Lego TC Logo, a product that integrates Lego building materials with computers, for creating contexts for learning that give elementary school students a sense that their work is authentic. Topics include the concept of authentic learning situations; consequences of unauthentic classrooms; cooperation; and evaluation.…