Asserts that there is a need for a more effective means to teach methods of scientific inquiry in geography classes. Describes a laboratory project in which college-level students are introduced to scientific inquiry. Provides seven suggestions for using similar scientific inquiry activities in elementary and secondary classrooms. (CFR)

Using a unit on earthworms, this article shows how science and language arts can be successfully integrated in a middle school classroom through hands-on observation, interviewing, and writing exercises. The integration process engages students, uses class time more efficiently, encourages dialog, and improves outcomes and appreciation of the…

Provides an overview of professions working in multidisciplinary health promotion and disease prevention efforts, focusing on medical specialties, public health, behavioral medicine, health psychology, health education, and health behavior. Major challenges general to all the fields include reimbursement, priorities, professional preparation,…

Argues that economic education is an integral component of social studies and citizenship education. Maintains that adolescents are more likely to believe that one's life is controlled by fate rather than conscious choices. Asserts that teaching economic reasoning can improve students' critical thinking skills and citizenship education. (CFR)

Asserts that using children's literature in primary grades enhances learning and helps achieve social studies objectives. Reports on survey of educators that identified 10 books, 7 book series, and 7 common characteristics of books or series that led to their selection. Includes chart indicating how these characteristics corresponded to social…

Describes the background and development of the Activities and Readings in the Geography of the United States (ARGUS) project. Indicates that the project is part of a cooperative effort with geographers and educators in other nations. Includes a content outline of the project and four illustrative maps. (CFR)

Describes the development and implementation of interdisciplinary four world studies courses at Queens College (City University of New York). Discusses the planning process in which teaching teams from the social sciences and humanities developed course content and objectives. States that the courses were designed to be part of the undergraduate…

Provides reasons for pursuing interdisciplinary study, reviews past interdisciplinary efforts, presents in detail a course model, and summarizes student and faculty reaction. (PR)

There is growing consensus about schools' roles as the national agenda emphasizes economic and social improvement via school reform, prioritizing relationships among schools, families, agencies, and health organizations. As schools are being reinvented, educators are examining the impact on physical education, particularly the relationship between…

Describes teachers' efforts at a New Jersey middle school to learn alternative assessment strategies and implement a portfolio system. As they became more student-centered and interdisciplinary colleagues, these teachers realized they needed new student assessment tools. Portfolio neophytes are advised to start small and simple, using a limited…

Teachers at an interdisciplinary magnet middle school in Pensacola, Florida, collaboratively developed performance assessments to help them evaluate defined student processes and outcomes shown in student writings, oral and electronic presentations, and other portfolio offerings. In interdisciplinary schools, collaboration between curricula and…

This article describes a model of collaborative study and field placement with undergraduate students in elementary education and special education at the State University of New York in Plattsburgh. It provides a rationale for collaborative teacher education and a proposed course structure to fit into existing teacher education programs as an…

Describes strategies that use trade books to teach science to primary students. Strategies include (1) developing concepts and vocabulary; (2) using concrete manipulatives to reinforce learning; (3) encouraging retelling; (4) developing class summaries; and (5) developing visual imagery. (MDH)

Reports on an experimental program in which preservice education students worked as Junior Achievement consultants in elementary schools. Discusses successful results and aspects of the project that could be improved. Concludes that the program could be replicated successfully in teacher education programs throughout the country. (CFR)

Respondents from 49 state education agencies completed a survey describing state-level implementation of transition services for youth with disabilities. All states used technical assistance and cross-disciplinary training as their primary systems-change strategies and the majority of states viewed these strategies as effective. Relatively few…