Conventional schooling too often ignores the influence of school culture on what is learned in school. Knowledge is situated, being in part a product of the activity, context, and culture in which it is developed and used; this is known as cognitive apprenticeship. Implications for understanding learning and teaching are discussed. (Author/BJV)

Describes a sixth grade class project to obtain information and produce a booklet of safety tips and safety posters to be distributed around the school, and to write and perform skits on child safety for children in the lower grades. Discusses use of group work for other academic subjects. (DHP)

Describes use of group or individual projects in an eleventh grade American history class to develop a scrapbook, a journal, and an oral presentation on any related topic. Discusses necessary alterations in classroom organization and management, guidelines and requirements for projects, grading procedures, and project presentation. (DHP)

Discusses student participation in many short-term projects related to regular study units in a second grade classroom. Describes projects of writing a class constitution, constructing a model colonial town, creating a mural of local colonial life, making corn shuck and apple-head dolls, and learning apple types grown locally. (DHP)

This personal narrative traces the background of instructional gaming from 1958 to 1995. The advantages and disadvantages of gaming as a disciplined activity are considered. The evolution of professional organizations, related academic activity, the game design process, and the need for consistent use of terms are addressed. Contains 57…

Contends that the rapid proliferation of computer technology is dramatically improving geographic instruction. Describes how instructors can identify and access easily Internet resources using Mosaic software. Concludes that these diverse and informative materials can be used in a wide variety of pedagogical tasks. (CFR)

This article describes a teaching model, Process-Based Instruction (PBI), that is applicable to mainstream classrooms containing students with diverse abilities. PBI enables teachers to individualize instruction by involving all students in the development of plans for curriculum and learning activities. With PBI, gifted students work at their own…

Presents the following activities for teaching elementary students about the metric system: Metric Soda Fountain, Metric Meals, Metric Moola, and Metric Golf. (PR)

Botany meets computer science in this activity, which challenges students to create a computerized seed catalog. Class members work together to develop a database of plants, much like the major seed companies do. (PR)

Presents a three-activity lesson plan based on Weir Farm, home of Impressionist painter J. Alden Weir and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Includes three student readings, three maps, and a tabular chart. Outlines step-by-step instructional procedures and a list of books for further reading. (CFR)

Although many students complain that the research-and-write about a favorite scientist is boring, a sixth-grade teacher offers successful alternatives. Through creative writing and hands-on activities, this assignment is made meaningful and fun for students. Excerpts from completed projects and evaluation tips are presented throughout the article.…

Outlines instructions for conducting a student-organized open discussion of a proposed 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Provides student instructions and eight character role descriptions. Includes a ballot on the issue designed to be sent to the American Bar Association. (CFR)

Asserts that the value of using pictures and photographs as teaching aids is firmly established. Suggests rephotographing old photographs to produce customized study prints and develop miniunits based on them. Includes a sample unit outline with teaching procedures and three illustrative photographs. (CFR)

Asserts that genograms, a diagram providing basic demographic information about family history, can help engage college students in several sociological issues. Describes a two-step process in which students construct their own genograms and exchange them with a partner for analysis. Concludes with recommendations for grading the genograms. (CFR)

Provides instructional strategies and materials designed to introduce students to Spanish art. Includes four lesson plans with student objectives, background information, and step-by-step instructional procedures. Also includes four full-page color reproductions of paintings by Murillo, Picasso, El Greco, and de Goya. (CFR)