Presents learning activities in which student designed and drew motifs related to naturalistic objects such as flowers, animals, or birds. Describes steps by which a flower can be turned into a motif and then into a repeat pattern or overall design. (DB)

Part I describes the presentation of six different proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem by groups of three students in a party atmosphere. Part II delineates the analysis behind a student conjecture concerning the area of certain closed polar-coordinate figures. Part III proposes a categorical worksheet for determining when to apply the proper rule…

Presents ideas to help elementary school educators teach their students about magnetic force fields by observing how iron filings line up around magnets. The article lists materials needed and offers a student page with suggested student activities. (SM)

The issue of division by zero is discussed. Activities that cover the topics of measurement division, partition division, relationship to fractions, confusion with dividing into zero, dividing zero by zero, and relation to more formal numbers are presented. (KR)

Attempts to define children's (age 8-10) linguistic needs and interests to provide a basis for foreign language syllabus planning. A questionnaire administered to 637 children determined the social and psychological roles children like to play; the topics they prefer to discuss; the functions they most frequently use; and the notions children are…

Presents a plan for teaching about geography and the environment by having students read a novel. Describes the story in "The Talking Earth," creating a proper setting in the classroom, and activities for before and after reading the book. Suggests learning activities based on national parks, and independent activities for the students.…

Discussion of the socially situated and constrained nature of educational computing focuses on situated critical pedagogy and computer education. Four areas are highlighted in an examination of teaching/learning situations: (1) praxis, i.e., a relationship between action and reflection; (2) situated critical pedagogy; (3) interpretive processes;…

Another way to add and subtract, in which the mental regrouping strategy is applied to an original 10-structure, is presented. Pupils use a visual model, called "little person," to move from counting to visualization. Originally designed for use with pupils with learning disabilities, this method has wider applicability. (KR)

Presented are two teaching methods: an algorithm for determining area; and identifying cubic polynomials with three integral zeros, integral maximum and minimum points, and integral inflection points at the advanced placement calculus level. Examples for each are given. (CW)

Argues that students often memorize, without critical analysis, components and processes of subjects in the sociology curriculum. Suggests that using cross-cultural, comparative material is a means of stimulating the critical energy of students, and subverting the tendency toward uncritical acceptance of factual "nuts and bolts." (DB)

Suggest that teaching introductory level students about social class may be done using a technique involving family names and nicknames. Presents findings from a study of students asked to rank family names, male nicknames, and female nicknames from highest to lowest social class. Results suggest that students have social class biases. (DB)

Presents a teaching module for upper elementary students that devotes eight class periods of study to Canadian resources. Includes study of the Canadian fur trade, fishing industry, forestry, and the problems caused by acid rain. Includes the unit evaluation. (DB)

Discusses the need to examine critically the methods, programs, and materials used with American Indian students. It is suggested that individual differences among students in the classroom can provide an incentive for teachers to provide a rich variety of lessons, teaching strategies, learning activities, and testing challenges. (Author/VWL)

Presents a reproducible page for students dealing with the following topics: plate tectonics, magma, crust, and earthquakes. Provides a plate tectonics activity that uses cardboard and clay. (PR)

Describes an innovative, but not revolutionary, secondary education science program that is modeled after American graduate education. Discussions include a comparison of pedagogical approaches, implementation, the teacher, facilities, and teaching strategies. (ZWH)