Structured academic controversy is a cooperative learning strategy that can promote learning in theoretical physical education classes at the college level. This article explains how to conduct structured academic controversy, providing examples of topics (e.g., adapted physical education, biomechanics, motor development, and sport psychology).…

Describes an elementary social studies class that studied children of the Great Depression in order to create empathy with people of different eras. The class used journal writing, mural painting, and poetry writing to consider the physical and psychological hardships experienced by Depression-era children. (MJP)

Investigates the efficiency of a novel addition to the routine of note taking, writing brief summaries of the lecture material during four-minute breaks within the lecture. A group of students wrote three sets of summaries during a 21-minute lecture and showed significant improvement in understanding over other groups. (MJP)

Outlines an instructional unit where students construct culture kits illustrating a specific culture. Culture kits are constructed out of realia and other material including maps, travel brochures, photographs, newspapers, souvenirs, and other items. Discusses collecting these items and possible multicultural applications. (MJP)

Recommends establishing literature study groups as early as the primary grades. Outlines the steps for implementing a group and describes several classroom experiences with them. Includes a discussion of follow-up activities, and a bibliography of related works. (MJP)

Describes an in-class exercise designed to teach basic principles of survey methodology and to educate students about the pervasiveness and problems associated with shyness in college students. Students complete a brief survey on shyness and the instructor summarizes the results for the class as part of a lecture on survey methodology. (MJP)

Presents a lesson for secondary school students that uses an area value map to increase student understanding about the geography of international drug production and consumption. Provides a list of necessary classroom materials, suggested background readings for students, procedures to be followed, and a bibliography of references. (DB)

Describes the field experience component of a course for preservice English teachers called "Language in the Secondary Classroom," in which preservice teachers collaborate as equals with high school students, experiencing for themselves the real potential of adolescent learners and the contexts which allow for that potential to emerge.…

Discusses a method of teaching the multiplication of integers to eighth-grade students that utilizes videotape recordings to represent positive and negative rates. Videotapes of students walking forward and backward in the play and rewind modes illustrate that the product of two negatives is positive. (MDH)

Recent research has recommended increased use of the target language; the use of cognitive, metacognitive, and prosocial strategies; and cooperative learning to help achieve oral proficiency and communication within the classroom. This paper describes a 21-day research action project involving 2 Spanish 2 honors classes and several cooperative…

Asserts that folktales from around the world can be used in the elementary social studies classroom to teach about cultural traits. Discusses types of folktales and recommends instructional procedures and classroom activities. Maintains that studying folktales can increase children's awareness of moral and social issues. (CFR)

Presents a five-hour simulation designed for secondary social studies students that focuses on the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. Describes necessary materials, a recommended time frame, and a five-day instructional plan. Includes data sheets about individual nations, focus questions, and individual role descriptions. (CFR)

Making books is a creative and enjoyable way to integrate science with other subjects, to extend learning, and to make science relevant to children's lives. Presents successful book-making techniques and procedures. (PR)

Contends that interest in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has led to an increase in the number of sociology courses on the topic. Describes course content, instructional materials, and class activities used in a college course titled "AIDS and Society." Includes two appendices with AIDS "riddles" and answers. (CFR)

Contends that a large segment of our nation's population is underserved in mathematics and science education. Some teaching strategies suggested to increase mathematics and scientific literacy among all students include making wrongs right; vary learning and allow group work; overcome language barriers with math and science; and respect different…