The role of geography in the elementary school curriculum is examined in this paper, which is arranged in four parts. Part 1 briefly sketches the characteristics of geographic instruction at different periods in U.S. history. Intellectual development and social education are identified as two widely accepted goals for elementary education today.…

Two booklets comprise the grades 10-12 component of a series of guides for incorporating environmental education into the existing curriculum. The guide and handbook emphasize a multidisciplinary approach, use the concept of interdependence as an organizing theme, and offer suggestions for using the local community as a resource. The guide…

A project for preparing and testing innovative curriculum materials for the study of religion in elementary social studies is described. The main objective of the project is to demonstrate that the study of religion is a necessity in the social education and personal development of children. Intended as an aid for teaching a student about his own…

Describes a study of sixth graders which was conducted to determine whether general ability or locus of control influences selection of instructional options in a computer-based lesson on four propaganda techniques used in advertisements, and whether the selection of options increases achievement on tests involving classification of new items.…

Discusses the science component of the Oxford Certificate of Educational Achievement (OCEA). Proposes that this measure be used for assessing the process skills of physics students as part of the new General Certificate of Secondary Education, which mandates that 20% of student's performance be measured in practical and experimental work. (TW)

The 14 chapters in this volume are intended to facilitate differentiated curriculum development for gifted students that is substantive, rigorous, and in keeping with disciplinary structures. The chapters are: (1) "Content-Based Curriculum for High Ability Learners: An Introduction" (Joyce VanTassel-Baska); (2) "Accelerating…

This paper reports on a study that examines mathematics scores when hands on manipulatives and group activities are used in the classroom at the middle school level. The study also explores changes in students' opinions of mathematics, assesses the intentions of females to take higher mathematics classes in high school, and surveys the amount of…

This document contains a set of model competency-based education (CBE) assessments that provide three types of assessment for students in grades 1-8 in science. Types of assessment include: traditional: multiple choice, short-answer, and open-ended items; performance-like: more authentic forms that involve students outside of the classroom; and…

Teachers' subject matter knowledge is a particularly important issue in science education in that it influences instructional practices across subject areas and at different grade levels. This paper provides an overview of efforts to develop a unique elementary science methods course and related field experience through a partnership between…

Describes the Chata Project, a British research project that challenged the prevalent assumption that children will construct sound causal explanations from factual information imparted during history instruction. Their research suggests that explicit instruction is required for children to understand the causal relationships among events,…

Examined kindergartners' and third graders' recall to test the effects of four learning strategies applied to items involving three conceptual relations--taxonomic, contextual, and unrelated. Found that (using a constructivist framework for interpretation) learner activity and causal processing improved memory when memory was not supported by…

Distinguishes among three aspects of idiomatic meaning: the general meaning, more specific aspects, and connotative aspects. The results of an informal experimental study indicate that the cognitive semantic view can facilitate the learning of idioms for nonnative speakers. (45 references) (Author/CK)

Uses test questions from the Basic Economics Test (BET) to reveal that elementary students are capable of understanding economics concepts. Maintains that neither ethnic background nor parental income makes a difference in economic learning. The most statistically significant determinant of improved scores was the extent to which a concept was…

Described are pentonimoe activities which nurture a nonanxious attitude toward math and science, promote an atmosphere of cooperation, support development of problem-solving skills, and provide spatial-ability skill exercises. These activities can be used by students at all educational levels. (KR)

Reviews research on elementary school students' capacity for historical understanding. Suggests Piagetian theory is not applicable to historical thinking. Considers teaching approaches for developing elementary history instruction, including (1) embedding history in meaningful context; (2) use of narrative; (3) linking past and present; and (4)…