This article is the first in a series that connects the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards" with the new document, "Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics." The four focal components of the "Professional Teaching Standards" are given, followed by a deeper…

Discussion of ways to enhance learning in school library media centers focuses on the theory of constructivism. Methods described include examining ideas, interacting with other students, encouraging higher-level thinking skills, and pausing to give time for reflection. Examples of lessons for elementary and secondary school students are provided.…

This article presents the "concrete semiconcrete abstract" (CSA) teaching sequence for teaching basic math skills to students with and without learning disabilities. Guidelines include providing a minimum of nine instructional lessons (three at each level), each with four lesson steps. Validation of the CSA sequence and lesson format with 15…

Discussion of visible models of training course organization covers uses for course designers, including clarifying course structure, planning lessons, communicating course requirements, and presenting a course overview; six steps to produce a visible model; and benefits for designers, instructors, and students. An example of a schematic diagram…

Enumerates, in a checklist form, the characteristics of well-developed, effective instructional programs for the purpose of providing criteria for the review of environmental education programs, the quality of individual program objectives, and the technical characteristics used in meeting the objectives. (eight references) (Author/MCO)

Provides a lesson plan with student worksheet for teaching the concept of geologic time to middle school students. The lesson is cited as representative of an Earth systems approach to science curriculum with emphasis on the age of the earth and the fact that its subsystems are constantly evolving. (MCO)

Describes the development of a bilingual, interactive computer program to assist high school students to learn and apply the biomechanical principles of movement. The program, using laserdisc video examples, covers 13 biomechanical topics and is accompanied by complete lesson plans that encourage students to analyze their own movements. (KRN)

Presents a lesson plan for teaching elementary and middle-school chorus in accordance with the National Standards of Music Education standard 9C, to understand music in relation to history and culture. Includes objectives, a list of required materials, a list of required prior knowledge, an outline of procedures, and evaluation methods. (DSK)

Investigated what physical education (PE) student teachers observed and responded to during secondary PE instruction. Videotapes of eight PE student teachers in the classroom and audiotapes of discussions with their university supervisors about teaching events indicated that they had developed observational and analysis skills in three areas:…

Presents a lesson plan for grade 5 social studies in which small groups of students use computers and three software programs to develop geography skills (latitude, longitude, compass reading, plotting courses on maps), create their own continents, and keep a five-day journal of exploration. Includes examples of student work. (PEN)

Presents a lesson plan in which students use an encyclopedia to research a famous person. Identifies library media skills objectives, curriculum (subject area objectives), grade levels (4 and 5), resources, instructional roles, activity and procedures for completion, evaluation guidelines, and follow-up activities. Includes a sample worksheet.…

A best practices checklist is provided to assist special education teachers in self-evaluation and peer evaluation, and assist administrators in providing feedback to teachers. The checklist covers introducing the lesson, presenting the lesson, encouraging student participation, and providing corrective feedback. Each area identifies specific…

A study of 43 student teachers of science studying lesson planning found that students working in partnership with a supervising teacher achieved 12% higher gains than teachers working entirely at a university and that teachers using computer-mediated delivery achieved 15% higher gains than those using traditional delivery methods. (PEN)

This instructional design looks at momentum in physics through railroading, to assist students in developing appropriate mental models that will enable them to solve problems relevant to the process or principle being taught. A PEAnet (process, entity, activity network) relationship enables an instructional visualization (simulation) in which…

Describes the Web-based database project developed by school library media specialists (SLMSs) in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The database houses lessons created by more than 30 elementary SLMSs in the district, and is accessible online. The database project is composed of two sections: Literature Appreciation and Information Skills. (AEF)