Preparing and developing e-learning materials is a costly and time consuming enterprise. This paper highlights the elements of effective design that we consider assist in the development of high quality materials in a cost efficient way. We introduce six elements of design and discuss each in some detail. These elements focus on paying attention…

This paper aims to situate a research project in the context of the literature about writing, describe the goals and methods of the project, and present some empirical results from the initial stages of the project. Students in four schools were divided into an experimental group (N=43) and a control group (N=48). The experimental group received…

This packet is designed to help teachers maximize a zoo visit for children ages 5 to 7. The packet provides activities for use before, during, and after the zoo visit. Activities are provided to enhance student skills in language arts, reading, art, science, and math, and are correlated to the Oregon Essentials Learning Skills Common Curriculum…

This unit is designed to introduce students to individuals who have been important in U.S. history and who contributed to society. Students are asked to research, study, and portray an important person from one of the following fields: leaders, sports figures, humanitarians/philanthropists, industrialist/business figures, entertainment,…

The interdisciplinary approach to education applies methods and language from more than one discipline to examine a central theme, issue, problem, topic, or experience, and is utilized in order to enhance the ability of students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of various disciplines. This guide to developing interddisciplinary…

This guide for starting a school garden is Book One in Project Life Lab's (Santa Cruz, California) three-part curriculum for a garden-based science and nutrition program for grades 2-6. The curriculum is designed for use as an integrated program, but the books can be used independently. It is suggested that the use of student journals can greatly…

Arranged into seven parts, this document provides a variety of games and activities, bulletin board ideas, overhead transparencies, student handouts, and learning station ideas to help reinforce basic social studies skills in the intermediate grades. In part 1, students learn about timelines, first constructing their own life timeline, then a…

This article presents examples of science units which have become successful multidisciplinary projects. Included are a protect your environment campaign and hunger day. Pre- and in-service courses, file of references, and resource people are suggested as being helpful in structuring interdisciplinary activities. Ideas and sources for projects are…

Activities using science fiction literature to teach American History topics such as future shock, economics, urbanization, minority studies, politics, international relations, and contemporary America are suggested. (JR)

Every school, no matter how urbanized, has an outdoor locale that can be used to expand and enrich classroom learning. It may be the school yard, the surrounding grounds, or the managed and landscaped lawns or garden. Or perhaps a park or overgrown vacant lot is within walking distance. This guide will help elementary and junior high school…

The legitimacy of writing as a science activity is supported in this paper and ways of incorporating it in an elementary science program are suggested. Reasons are delineated on how writing can help students improve their skills in the areas of critical thinking, problem solving, questioning, and concept clarification. Specific activities are…

This booklet consists of six sample lessons integrating population education into science instruction. It is one of four in a series. Materials differ from those in an earlier series (1980) in that lessons are presented at the secondary level only; there is no duplication of lessons from the earlier series in terms of content and teaching…

This unit uses a learning center approach to helping elementary students learn about Israel. Following a rationale for implementing an interdisciplinary approach to global education, the unit discusses methodology and management of the program, which consists of seven independent learning centers and one library research center through which…

Twelve interdisciplinary lessons with supplementary materials for grades three and four comprise this teaching guide about the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. An introduction explains how the lighthouse is threatened by erosion, alternatives for saving it, the need for the lighthouse, and its history. Each lesson includes subject area, skills, lesson…

Provided in this document are 18 energy conservation activities designed to supplement regular classroom learning activities. A matrix correlating activity number with grade level and subject areas is included. Titles of activities are: puzzles; energy quiz; energy-related careers; reading a meter; trading calories for kilo-watts; conserving home…