The document has three major components: (1) rationale; (2) content; and (3) activities. The rationale, which deals with considerations and methods for teaching mathematics concepts to young children, is provided through the following articles: (1) "Piagetian Implications for Kindergarten Mathematics Instruction"; (2) "A Rationale…

This study attempted to determine if students learn science concepts better when laboratories are used to verify concepts already intorduced through lectures and textbooks (verification laboratories or whether achievement and retention are improved when laboratories are used to introduce new concepts (directed discovery learning laboratories). The…

A major goal of mathematics teaching is the involvement of students in the personal process of discovering mathematical ideas and formulating problems. The process of an inductive leap followed by a deductive argument is used in mathematics courses at Phillips Exeter Academy (New Hampshire). Mathematical problems are presented in which the givens…

Students' preconceptions (also called misconceptions) interfere with desired learning and resist attempts to eradicate them. By applying previous findings about misconceptions regarding the particle model for gases, a new approach was designed for teaching the subject. A "critical situation" was treated in which students in sixth and…

AS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEARNING PROCESS AND OF THE NATURE AND FUNCTION OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN AMERICAN-ENGLISH INCREASES, SPELLING INSTRUCTION IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IS UNDERGOING A DRASTIC CHANGE. RECENT RESEARCH HAS REVEALED A BASIC LOGIC BEHIND THE SOUND-TO-LETTER RELATIONSHIP HITHERTO THOUGHT TO BE HAPHAZARD. BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT…

This document is the transcript of an interview with Susan Williams, director of Gordonbrock Infant School in Brockley, London, England. Her school is the subject of a film by Lillian Weber. The interview was conducted by Courtney Cazden of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The substance of some of her remarks follow: (1) The major…

This monograph is a report on an international discussion of the desirability of autonomous work on the part of students. The rationale for autonomous work is twofold. First, this approach should lead the pupil to think about the learning process and take an active and responsible share in it. This will promote the development of personality by…

This curriculum guide, part of a series of science units, provides for differentiation of emphasis of subject areas at different grade levels. It is intended that the unit will be studied in depth by grades 1, 4, and 6. Kindergarten, grades 2 and 3 will study the unit in less detail. "Our Wonderful Sun" is studied in Kindergarten, "Earth in Space"…

The inductive-method teacher sees himself as part of a process of learning rather than as dispenser of knowledge. He structures classroom situations in which students discover answers and concepts for themselves. He selects material and guides class work, but concentrates on how a student learns, developing a carefully-guided sequence of questions…

Described in this paper are the author's experiences with a technique for providing preservice social studies teachers with first hand experience with the discovery approach to teaching. This is defined as a structured learning activity in which the learner is encouraged to learn for himself that which is to be learned or discovered. The discovery…

Describes a reading methods course in which secondary teacher trainees in all content areas are helped to discover the need for teaching reading at the secondary level and to learn methods for teaching reading skills. (GW)

Discusses the nature of science as inquiry, differentiating between "science as inquiry" and "teaching/learning by inquiry." Provides evidence of confusion existing among teachers on the notion of inquiry and offers practical suggestions to teacher educators to help teachers better understand inquiry and to use the method in…

Described are teacher education strategies which focus on three specific characteristics of the Geography 16-19 Project. These are the process of curriculum development, man-environment approach to geography, and enquiry-based learning. Presents a role-playing activity related to the proposed adoption of the project by a school's geography…

Five different triangle shapes cut from poster board or construction paper provide the springboard for student activities and discussions of a variety of geometric concepts from kindergarten to grade 8. (MP)