Across-the-curriculum articles focus on four areas. A math activity describes optical illusions and the properties of shapes. A hands-on science activity presents the chemistry of secret messages. A writing lesson helps students capture the essence of character. An art lesson presents a project on medieval castles. (SM)

The purpose of this study is to analyse science and mathematics lesson plans prepared in the light of drama based instruction by preservice elementary teachers. For this purpose, 12 female participants were chosen volunteerly. They gained basic knowledge and experience about creative drama by involving sample creative drama activities and lesson…

Part 2 of this five part project asks students of the Tasmanian region of Australia to explore the history of Port Arthur, a 19th century penal colony located in Tasmania. The project is based on three ideas: (1) studying history can be educational and enjoyable; (2) imagination is an essential part of studying history; and (3) history is most of…

Profiles are presented of 30 programs and practices that were developed by the 1987 recipients of the New Jersey Governor's Teacher Grants in the following categories: drama and music; reading and writing; science; social sciences; social skills/special education; study skills; and technology. Each profile provides essential information under the…

Designed to celebrate rural teachers' inventiveness and stimulate teacher thinking about opportunities that small schools offer, this booklet is a collection of ideas and resources that have worked in specific Alaska school settings. An introductory chapter challenges teachers to use small size to advantage. Chapter 2 shows what rural teachers are…

An elementary school principal's successful attempts to improve her inner-city school are described in this case study, which includes a diagram representing her formula for better education. The principal, a charismatic, elderly woman, takes an aggressive role in improving the school environment and student nutrition, encouraging and monitoring…

A college English teacher, dissatisfied with the approach used in her composition classes and with its results, turned to the Outward Bound concepts of the German physician and schoolmaster, Kurt Hahn. These concepts include a belief in the value of creating adversity in order to overcome it, a belief that important things happen to people who are…

Essays in this special issue of the "Journal of Family History" focus on the teaching of family history by using artifacts. The articles were written by the staff at Old Sturbridge Village (OSV). The first article discusses how family history is taught at OSV. Students study a real family using demographic information and artifacts such as…

The challenges facing education today, in particular the educational programs for children aged 3 to 6, are found to be many and varied, with the failures in urban settings pointing up the need for different and responsive learning environments. In the development of alternatives to current conditions in the schools today, the following are…

Recommends using "Readers' Theater" as an interdisciplinary approach to social studies. Maintains that the format lends itself to the examination of social issues and current events while it provides opportunities for a variety of learning styles. Briefly discusses Jan Truss' book, "A Very Small Rebellion." (MJP)

Describes the advantages of having students work actively together in small groups. Discusses the new roles that both students and teachers must assume in order to successfully implement the strategy in the classroom. (FMW)

Presents a writing method which allows students to reflect upon issues and ideas and thus encourage understanding and retention of social studies content. Divides the writing process into prewriting, composing, and postwriting, and offers techniques for each element. Includes methods for evaluating student efforts. (LS)

Presents ideas for using children's literature to make social studies more engaging for students and to enhance student learning about people. Suggests that literature can be used thematically and offers several illustrations for different grade levels. (LS)

Argues that employer/student programs on a small scale can be as effective as larger endeavors. Describes a pilot project where employer involvement focused solely on evaluation and feedback of geography students' oral presentations. Discusses the benefits and problems of the program. (MJP)

Examines issues raised at the third meeting of experimental educators, held in Moscow in 1988. Argues a teacher's creativity guarantees an educational system's health and successful reform. In a question-answer format, analyzes resistance to educational change, and teachers' responsibilities, rights, and relationships with students and…