Presents a year long plan for teaching about Columbus's voyages and their impact on the Americas. Discusses themes of bias in history, how language can be used to create a certain image, and concepts of heroism, respect, and power. Includes instructions for schoolwide, social studies and history projects with interdepartmental coordination. (DK)

Discusses critical issues in school library media programs, including problems in the profession; building the collection to support the curriculum; resource-based education; literature-based reading programs; conceptual frameworks for new technologies, new kinds of textbooks, and differentiated staffing; professional leadership by administrators…

Presents a 1988 roundtable discussion among Soviet educators and government officials organized by "Soveskaii Rosiia" editors. Delineated rural school problems and was conducted before the Soviet All-Union Congress of Workers in Public Education. Examines negative rural stereotypes and areas for improvement. Ties school improvement to…

Discussion of the role of school library media centers (LMCs) in Wisconsin highlights the Final Report of the State Superintendent's Task Force on School Library Media Issues. Issues addressed include the media specialist as curriculum partner, education and staff development, programs and technology, facilities, collections and resources, and…

Asserts that middle school education is a conceptually unique process requiring changed teacher roles, a curriculum of exploration rather than skill development, and student grouping based on developmental factors rather than by age or subject matter. (CFR)

Describes the social studies program at Walker Junior High School (La Palma, CA). Uses student research and role playing to make areas of history, geography, and government more meaningful. Includes colonial period, slavery, medieval life, and city government. Suggests themes, methods, and telecommunication and computer use. Reports that the…

Describes teaching Western political theory at Beijing University (China) in 1987, a period of political modernization. Suggests changes to enhance education and scholarship in China concerning instructional pedagogy. Notes the need for critical writing skills, finds students limited in their ability to analyze scholarly writing, and recommends…

Described is an alternative first year algebra program developed to bridge the gap between the NCTM's Curriculum and Evaluation Standards and institutional demands of schools. Increased attention is given to graphing as a context for algebra, calculator use, solving "memorable problems," and incorporating geometry concepts, while…

The validity of eight critical thinking tests developed for the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) public schools was studied using scores from 100 students each in grades 5, 8, and 11 and questionnaire responses from teachers. Validity is discussed for providing diagnostic information, monitoring achievement, and influencing the curriculum. (SLD)

Identifies linkages between social inquiry and artistic thought to show interdisciplinary possibilities for kindergarten through high school social studies instruction. Argues expression through modern dance helps students integrate personal experience and social phenomena. Provides a lesson in which elementary school students choreograph their…

Outlines issues of concern in the management of nonlibrarian professionals in research libraries, argued to be significantly different from the management of professional librarians. Differing professional value systems, conflicts and tension that can arise, and organizational teamwork are discussed with a focus on effective reward structures. (15…

Responds to James Leming's empirical study on ideological perspectives within the social studies profession and his assertion that teachers and teacher educators exist in separate cultures. Agrees with Leming's descriptions of social studies professors but not his recommendations to bridge the gulf between teacher educators and teachers. (CFR)

Describes a National History Day project based on students' grandmothers' experiences with prisoner of war communications during World War II. Relates how brief communications from prisoners were relayed to soldiers families through U.S. War Department channels. Discusses development of historical research and interpretation skills. (CFR)

This article describes the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests Revised/Normative Update, an instrument designed to assess reading ability in students in grades K-12, undergraduate college students, and adults. The tests evaluate basic reading skills, reading comprehension, and reading readiness. Its administration, standardization, reliability, and…

Arizona State University's Center for Indian Education has pursued its goals of research, teacher training, community outreach, policy advisement, leadership development, and student recruitment through such efforts as founding the Journal of American Indian Education, tribally controlled schools, and community-focused college programs;…