Suggests many benefits that latchkey children can attain from starting their own gardens. Whether children grow vegetables and herbs in their backyard or in containers, they will learn practical skills and may be able to sell their produce for cash. (MDM)

Suggestions for a unit on the Holocaust for deaf students at the secondary level include begin with the big picture; emphasize people not numbers; explore literary accounts; use survivor testimony; and conclude with the positive. Suggested readings and sample chronologies are also provided. (DB)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 14 children's books featuring children with hearing impairment. Also offers suggestions for related learning activities in inclusive classrooms to enhance experiences with the books. (DB)

Presents design components to attain high standards in distance education, including defining goals, explaining the learning strategy, describing the learning activity, setting deadlines and due dates, explaining the use of media, and establishing personal-communication protocol. (LRW)

Presents learning activities to foster understanding of self-taught art, an often misunderstood genre. Focuses on works of four Alabama artists (Charlie Lucas, Lonnie Holley, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Sybil Gibson). Includes photos of their works, a description of the art object, a brief biography of the artist, discussion questions, and suggested…

Discusses the importance of harnessing children's natural tendency to make maps. Argues for a geographic curriculum based on building a relationship between the structure of the local landscape and the shape of children's lives. Lists mapping activities that can be used with various age groups. (CCM)

The activities suggested in this article are suitable for students of junior high school age or older and for students with intermediate- or advanced-level language skills. They focus on using the World Wide Web to study Quebec place names and surnames. Two main sites are listed that offer numerous links to other useful sites for studying Quebec…

A survey of 754 older adults serving as ombudsmen in nursing facilities found that formal education and follow-up training enhanced efficacy. Negative initial training was the most important influence on diminished efficacy. Those with higher efficacy and more positive initial training expressed less worry. (SK)

Focuses on plot in children's stories. Suggests that folktales can be used to demonstrate the three main stages of plot development, and illustrates with specific examples. Presents activities for engagement, exploration and explanation, evaluation, and extention. Includes a sample worksheet for developing the plot of a story. (AEF)

Describes a partnership between schools in College Station, Texas and in Mexico City that conducted school activities via videoconferencing. The activities were designed to help the students understand cultural differences by studying murals and then creating their own. (LRW)

Describes the Race Challenge, an exercise requiring business students to participate on cross-functional teams and compare collaborative and competitive behavior. Presents issues addressed, materials required, variations, discussion questions, and debriefing instructions. (SK)

Discusses the animal fables of Leo Lionni and recalls a kindergarten class's involvement with his books and their characters. Considers his themes of fairness, friendship, individual decisions versus group decisions, and conformity. (LRW)

Teams of ninth-graders (n=172) in Israel designed and constructed models of hot-air balloons with tissue paper. The short, open-ended technological task promoted teamwork and high motivation. Most teams functioned without a leader. Teachers were challenged by the need to transfer autonomy and responsibility to students. (SK)

Discusses the importance of having students pose their own questions and write problems. Proposes a subject related to the heart, blood, and the life-giving potential of blood. Provides related internet sites from which teachers can get information. (ASK)

Describes a learning activity that stimulates recollection of nursing students' experiences of loss and grief, helping them examine personal responses, recognize cultural differences in responses, and develop skills for caring for those who are grieving. (SK)