Describes a case study approach to acquaintance rape used in a Personal Health and Lifestyles course at the University of Nevada in Reno that allows students to discuss the characters in a scenario, an instructional process seen as less threatening than describing personal experiences. (MDM)

Shows how two teacher educators and two teachers, combining their energies, worked through the difficult transition from basal readers to literature-based curriculums. Contains specific sections in which the elementary school teachers talk about their experience. (TB)

Type of adventure program (recreational, educational, developmental, or therapeutic) is determined by its purpose for change, not its client population. Facilitation techniques used in different types of adventure programs include letting the experience speak for itself, interpreting the experience, debriefing clients on the experience, direct…

Explores book discussions conducted by two teachers as they increased the use of literature in their classrooms. Finds that both teachers valued book discussions and saw their role as facilitator, although one teacher remained firmly within a literal interpretation of texts and in control of verbal interaction; and students tended to address…

Examines the issue of lack of participation within life skills programs and the negative consequences this may have on participant learning. To counteract the negative effects of underparticipation, a program called the Conversation Group was developed. The process, content, and merits of the program are described. (Author/RB)

Describes use of developmental interactive bibliotherapy as a feminist methodology in an undergraduate course on women and education. Students responded to relevant selections read aloud in class, first by writing in personal journals and then by participating in small-group discussions. Analysis of questionnaire responses and journal entries…

Considers discussion-based parents' forums at two British secondary schools. Each school has attracted an elite group of white, middle-class professional women with limited decision-making power that remains unconnected to the wider parent body. It is difficult for controversial parental issues to be heard. (Contains 39 references.) (MLH)

Addresses teaching about the Vietnam War. Focuses on selecting literature and how to implement the "mines and booby traps simulation," which demonstrates the experience of an infantry soldier. Describes follow-up activities to the simulation, the connections students made between the simulation and literature, and the importance of simulation…

Provides two economics lessons that each deal with a type of collectible (beanbag toys and Pokemon cards) that interests students. Reinforces such concepts as markets, scarcity, equilibrium, supply and demand, monopolies, and government regulation. Provides a sample quiz and a glossary of terms with examples. (CMK)

Describes a classroom experiment that demonstrates under what conditions the parallel market rate approximates the free-market value of the domestic currency. Students act as foreign exchange traders in a developing country. Provides results of the experiment and discussion questions. (CMK)

Presents a collection of activities that teach upper-elementary and middle school students about narrative devices, methods or formats that artists use to tell stories. Includes the reproductions of the artworks, background information, discussion questions, activities, and evaluation. Provides a final activity and discussion for the entire…

Describes the "Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking Project" which has now sent more than 70 volunteer teacher educators into 20 countries across Central Europe and Central Asia to help teachers to try out methods that foster active learning and critical thinking. Discusses support for the project, teaching strategies introduced,…

Discusses ways for middle school teachers to encourage their students to discuss mathematical concepts in the classroom. Considers setting up the classroom environment to facilitate mathematics discussion, the role of the teacher, small group discussions, whole-class discussions, and student presentations. (JPB)

Evaluated the use of an online discussion group to strengthen preservice teachers' communication, inquiry, and reflection. Analysis of participants' dialogue indicated that the most important benefit was that practicum students placed at different grade levels communicated their observations and concerns in a non-evaluative setting. The paper…

Discusses the personal and subjective nature of humor and considers ways that children respond to humor in literature and films. Suggests activities for school library media specialists to use with specific books that are humorous, including group discussions, individualized writings, and examining illustrations. (LRW)