Explains cultural differences and how they affect the meaning of curriculum for students. Discusses factors that affect the learning of mathematics and science for students living on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana and strategies for the development of a relevant curriculum through the integration of mathematics and science in a…

Describes a freshman-level communications course within a business college that uses holistic instruction and that fuses the language arts to help students with college-level reading, writing, speaking, and listening. (SR)

Describes 16-week intergenerational computer tutoring program in two replacement language-arts classes called Ambassadors of the Computer Age. Special-needs middle-school students improved their language-arts skills while teaching older adults how to use computer technology. (PKP)

Explores curricular ways to empower students in their learning by creating opportunities for leadership and group collaboration. Contends that drama, particularly role drama, provides opportunities for students to step outside the classroom and investigate imaginary and real worlds of power, responsibility, issues, relationships, and community.…

Describes a lesson plan on alien invasions to introduce students to the principles of genetics. Discusses the history of Gregor Mendel, dominant and recessive traits, offspring, and mutations. (YDS)

Discusses a recent national survey of English language arts educators regarding middle school English. Learns that many respondents to the survey lacked knowledge about middle schools as sites for literacy learning. Notes that few English educators felt they had the necessary resources available to them for developing courses and field experiences…

Cemeteries can provide valuable teaching tools for studying art, genealogy, botany, math, geology, and local history. Several activities are suggested that will make a field trip to a local cemetery a learning experience. (IAH)

Reviews 12 nonfiction books submitted for the Carter G. Woodson Book Award that deal with the experiences of African Americans. Argues that many benefits can be reaped from the use of culturally pluralistic tradebooks in the language arts classroom. (RS)

Argues that, although computers are wonderful machines, their role in the curriculum should not take center stage. Stresses that attention should be placed on what educators are trying to help students to experience and only secondarily should educators consider whether the computer can help in that endeavor. (MG)

Concern about curriculum has produced its own subgenre of national reform reports covering the core subjects (science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts). Common themes include curriculum integration, emphasis on thinking skills, more rigorous content for all students, influence from outside groups, and acknowledgement of standardized…

This article describes an inter-class project that paired second and fifth grade students to produce a book of their poetry developed through a program of instruction in the forms and literary aspects of poetry. Students collaborated broadly across grade levels on composition of poems and cover art for the publication. (PB)

A teacher of ninth-grade at-risk students describes her teaching methods, which involve giving students challenging writing tasks and displaying their finished products for the public. In this way, the students work hard, feel important, learn for a purpose, and feel that what they offer is valuable. (JDD)

The advantages of using themes as the foundation of a language arts program for hearing-impaired students are outlined. Methods for developing new themes, recycling old themes, having children choose their study materials, and structuring classroom activities are presented. Examples from an insect theme illustrate the approach. (JDD)

Drama in the classroom means honing thinking skills, increasing comprehension, bringing the written word to life, and fun. And it's effective with general, gifted, and at-risk students from K-12. (Author/TE)

Describes what publishers can do to improve textbooks and teaching, and what teachers can do with inadequate textbooks to repair the "faulty" state of language education. Lists nine "knowns" about language education and explains how textbooks can exploit that knowledge within existing constraints. (RS)