This bulletin is the second in a seres of studies aimed at describing current developments in the secondary school curriculum as they are revealed in recent courses of study and teaching guides. It is the only analysis of the English curriculum in grades 7-12 which has been made by the Office in the past year. This survey includes the four major…

This article reports a study examining the use of group activities in English language coursebooks published since 1990. Ten coursebooks were randomly selected for examination. The number and percentage of group activities and of group activities rated as fostering cooperation were calculated. The results are discussed in light of theory and…

Evaluative commentary is presented by Virginia L. Brown, Coordinator: Learning Disabilities, Indiana University. (RD)

Describes process of preparing a show for parents' night (at Herman Street School, East Syracuse-Minoa School District, New York) which evolved from third graders' study of Italy. (SW)

More than 50 starter ideas for social studies projects and units for the primary and intermediate grades are presented. These help develop children's skills in social studies, reading, handwriting, and language arts, and stir their interest in local history and government. Activities can be used for new projects or to enrich ongoing ones. (PP)

Contributors offer suggestions concerning (1) reading aloud with children, (2) community involvement in the reading program, (3) a method for combining the neurological impress method with the directed reading activity, and (4) a technique for structuring instruction. (FL)

A teaching unit uses the songs of sailors, loggers, coal miners, and other workers to illustrate how the United States was built in the nineteenth century. Words and music for seven songs are given, along with classroom activities to help children understand occupations and industries during that time. (PP)

The president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics argues that many mathematics textbooks feature unrealistic problems that do not teach problem solving or mathematical thinking. Realistic activities and games which will teach children to think are described, as are methods for teaching essential mathematics skills. (PP)

Students can become better listeners by learning to: (1) listen accurately; and (2) listen critically, when interpretation is required. Teachers can foster accurate listening through games demanding close attention to rhythm instruments and directions. They can encourage critical listening through music exercises and activities that involve…

Five contributors suggest ways to (1) develop oral reading skills; (2) adapt the language experience approach for use with the mildly handicapped, slow learner; (3) conduct a "ditto-less day" in the classroom; (4) use microcomputers for reading comprehension; and (5) use LEA with basal readers. (FL)

In order to measure elementary school teachers' feelings about parent involvement in home learning as a teaching strategy and to see how widespread this strategy is, a survey was conducted with 3,700 first-, third-, and fifth-grade school teachers in most Maryland public schools. (MP)