Argues that, although social studies classes should be exciting and interesting, students frequently rate them as among the most boring and irrelevant. Asserts that living history programs, including history theater, history immersion, and living history museums can improve history instruction and student attitudes. (CFR)

A Dickinson College (Pennsylvania) introductory physics program abandons lectures in favor of activity-based, collaborative work enhanced by use of integrated computer tools. Contrary to expectation, it was found that some women did not respond positively to hands-on, collaborative instructional methods. (MSE)

Seven brief articles by teachers in Foxfire's East Tennessee Teachers' Network discuss the developmentally appropriate application of Foxfire core practices in grades 4-8, and describe class problem-solving related to student behavior problems, community-based projects, changing student attitudes, and use of Foxfire-style projects with special…

Reports a study that explored the perceptions of postgraduate initial teacher education students at a South African university who spent part of the year in various industrial, commercial, and social enterprises. Surveys and interviews with participants indicated they gained many useful insights into the nature, functioning, and management of…

Incidental teaching of social behavior and friendship activities are naturalistic peer interventions that can be easily incorporated into preschool curricula for children with and without special needs. This article provides a rationale for these two strategies, a 10-step program for implementing incidental social behavior instruction, and…

Discusses the value of nature education to early childhood education. The domains of adaptive, aesthetic, cognitive, communication, sensorimotor, and socioemotional development are discussed. Suggests that because young children learn primarily through their senses and motoric manipulation, they are excellent candidates for nature education…

Describes the content and instructional techniques used in a college course on program evaluation. Discusses the use of cooperative learning methods and fieldwork as instructional strategies. Maintains that student evaluations indicate the course achieved its objectives. (CFR)

Essential features of an outdoor integrated curriculum include experiential learning, whole process, authenticity, challenge, responsibility, and connection with the community. Additional factors that result only from outdoor learning include inescapable consequences, personal growth, and sense of wonder. Problems of curriculum integration include…

This methodology for teaching basic meal preparation skills to students with mental retardation uses convenience foods and involves learning meal preparation reading vocabulary and common procedures. Instructional techniques include sight word development, use of rebus symbols, and graduated prompts (verbal, modeling, or physical guidance). A list…

A case study is presented of a science class for 10 underachieving gifted intermediate grade students. The paper describes how a focus on overcoming underachievement might conflict with the need for active, hands-on science activities. Suggestions are offered for integrating the goals of raising self-concept while developing skills of inquiry and…

Discussed is why one of the main concerns of scientists and educators should be making the public aware of the nature of science and its role in society. Presented are ways in which science can be communicated with and without the classroom. (KR)

Advocated is a participatory, problem-solving-oriented science education with a strong emphasis on the impacts of technology. Some of the insights and ideas that emerged through a Project 2061 Technology Panel Report are discussed. (KR)

Suggests that a discussion-based approach focused on experiences of actual environmental issues, encountered problematically, should characterize environmental education activities. An ecology exercise dealing with organic pollution of a river provides a context for the educational principles and ecological concepts included the study. (24…

Describes the modern hot-air balloon and the physics of ballooning. Proposes that students construct their own hot-air balloon and presents an experiment calculating the time needed for a balloon to rise to the ceiling of a gymnasium. (MDH)

Describes a qualitative study that explores students' perceptions of their own learning. Document review, participant observation, and open-ended interviews were used to gather and triangulate data. Factors that were perceived as helpful were woven into a theoretical model. The uses of the model are discussed. (Author/KR)