Explains that a goal of symphony orchestra education programs is to enhance the attainment of concepts associated with the elementary music curriculum, but there is little evidence of student learning as a result of these programs. Finds one exception is the assessment component of the Arts in Community Education Partnership (Milwaukee,…

Discusses the outcomes of research on best practices in middle school education. Explores middle school grade configuration, interdisciplinary teaming, curricular standards, and teacher preparation and certification. (WRM)

Discusses science education reform and changes in teaching and learning processes. Compares higher order cognitive skills to lower order cognitive skills in learning, and gives rationales for advocating higher order cognitive skills. (Contains 38 references.) (YDS)

A survey of one region in Scotland attempted to identify the number and characteristics of children with dysgraphia, multidisciplinary and inter-professional services and relationships, and the role of electronic keyboards or word processors. Among detailed findings was that 20 percent of children had stopped using keyboards with the most frequent…

Integrating nutrition into elementary mathematics curricula can help students develop skills for healthful food choices that will prepare them for healthy adult life. Nutrition science incorporates numerous mathematical concepts and procedures. Curriculum integration provides a framework for children to apply knowledge from several disciplines and…

Describes how one urban middle school teacher uses young adult literature to encourage lively class conversations, to develop students' fundamental skills, and to sharpen their abilities to connect literature with their own lives. Discusses parent/guardian permission and interdisciplinary connections, supplementary readings, literature…

North Carolina recently developed a licensure program requiring teacher training to include the three strands of child development, early childhood education, and early childhood special education. This article describes the new licensure, explains its effects on both preservice and inservice teacher education, examines efforts to help higher…

Explains the development of an interdisciplinary unit in which students learn basic chemistry and laboratory techniques while practicing English, mathematics, art, social studies, and leadership skills. Includes details about lab activities, assessment strategies, and science extensions. (DDR)

Identifies and criticizes eight myths of curriculum integration. Points out the high, real, and certain costs of curriculum integration relative to the low, vague, and difficult-to-measure benefits. Questions the ability of curriculum integration to improve achievement, facilitate accurate accountability, and generate appropriate curriculum…

Explores a creative middle-school structure that provides a block of about two hours in the school day when one teacher has a group of students engaged in a variety of interdisciplinary activities. The concepts of learning circles and group-dependent projects are discussed. The core of the proposed middle school is constructivism. (SLD)

Explores the house-concept design in educational facilities and explains how this concept addresses the relationship between the following dimensions of the school: learning processes; organizational structures; and learning environments. Also discusses how this concept can be incorporated into renovation projects and its future possibilities. (GR)

Presents the idea that art therapists and special education teachers must collaborate to successfully work with special needs students. Describes a situation in which the authors used co-teaching to present information to student teachers regarding children with sensory integration dysfunction. (MKA)

Explores the ties between international environmental law and biochemistry with respect to genetically modified organisms, biodiversity, marine pollution, cancer biology, and pesticide contamination of food. Contains 30 references. (DDR)

This article discusses how systems of care for students with emotional and behavior disorders use service coordination to create and maintain linkages among schools, families, and social service agencies. It describes how service coordination teams operate and explores the role of teachers on these teams. (Contains references.) (CR)

Presents a graduate course targeting the improvement of teaching and learning with regard to professional development. Argues that practicing teachers need opportunities to interact with one another and other individuals in the research community. Examines how private research and development works. (Contains 23 references.) (YDS)