Based on constructivist learning theory, this guide presents six practical menus that are intended to guide curriculum developers as they bring together an understanding of a discipline, its content and methodologies, and a vast array of instructional techniques to challenge learners on all levels. It begins with a "Knowledge Menu" that…

This teaching unit was developed to be used in an 8- to 12-hour course to train trainers. The packet contains an instructor's manual and a resource guide designed to be used by instructors who have a background in education and who have had some experience as a trainer in business. The instructor's manual contains a script for the seminar,…

Children are drawn to nature and the outdoors. This guide details the inclusion of gardening in the preschool curriculum at a university child development program in Illinois. Chapter 1 of the book, "Why Garden?" details the benefits of gardening for young children, describes the project approach used, discusses the role of the teacher,…

This booklet provides glimpses into the classrooms of real teachers at various stages of technology integration. The "Snapshots" offered in this document illustrate appropriate and creative uses of technology at many grade levels and within different subject areas. The Curriculum Snapshots are organized by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12). Each…

This monograph explains dysgraphia in students and offers a range of practical suggestions tailored to individual children with specific dysfunctions that obstruct the transcription of their thoughts to paper. Chapters address: (1) why students avoid writing and the need for students to understand the purpose of writing; (2) underlying processing…

This paper examines the potential benefits of standards-based instruction for English language learners (ELLs), presents a backward mapping process for designing standards-based instructional units, and reviews the design of two standards-based units for ELLs. Most of the document is in the form of a table to make the standards-based process…

This packet contains three issues of "The Insurance Educator," a newsletter published for high school educators as a means to improve the understanding of insurance and its role in society through the education of teachers and students. Some representative articles include the following: "Protecting Your Bike from Theft"; "Tornadoes: Be Prepared";…

The Long Island Pine Barrens is Long Island's premier ecosystem. It overlies the greatest quantity of the purest drinking water remaining on Long Island and boasts the greatest diversity of plants and animals in New York State. This curriculum guide provides background and suggested inquiry-based in-class and field trip experiences to use with…

Reading is an important part of the modern child's environment. The number of things one must know about in order to understand this world has been enormously increased. No one can hope to learn of them all through first-hand experiences. Printed matter, which preserves and facilitates widespread distribution of knowledge, becomes a necessity. To…

Every four years the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations requests a report from each Member State telling how the United Nations and its work are being made known to the citizenry. This bulletin constitutes the report of the United States substantially as it was submitted at the close of 1959. Because the Secretary General had…

Learning activities to help encourage students' consumer awareness and develop their consumer skills are suggested. Objectives include teaching students to: (1) distinguish between wants and needs; (2) understand advertising; and (3) read labels and compare prices. Other information sources and reading materials for children are listed. (PP)

A year-long music instruction unit introduces students to information about the lives of nine great composers of the classics and to their works. Each month a different composer is featured. No special training for teachers is necessary. (PP)

Contains teaching ideas dealing with (1) using children's television knowledge to develop reading and thinking skills, (2) novels, (3) science reading, (4) developing intonation, (5) motivating reading, (6) promoting story writing, and (7) the silent "e." Reviews one book dealing with writing instruction. (FL)

A neighborhood vacant lot can be a vehicle for teaching children about architecture and community planning. A Portland, Oregon, teacher explains how studying the lot can involve exploring neighborhood history, gathering data on local needs, and designing an appropriate building. (PP)

Teachers can capitalize on children's interest in recent science fiction movies by using books based on the films in their classrooms. Books taken from "E. T.,""Star Wars,""The Empire Strikes Back," and "The Wrath of Khan" are summarized, and learning activities to be used in conjunction with the books are suggested. (PP)