Shows how the regular reading and discussion of rich literary passages builds a respect and interest among students for imagery. Describes a series of classroom exercises designed to build imagery writing skills. (TB)

Argues for the inclusion of reading and writing in math classes. Suggests that children dislike math class not because they dislike math but because they dislike memorizing times tables out of context. (TB)

Inspired by Donald Schon's work "Educating the Reflective Practitioner" (1987), the authors create virtual worlds using an approach combining video technology and the case teaching method. This article describes two video series, "Mentoring the New Teacher" and "Becoming a Star Urban Teacher," aimed at enhancing the…

Presents two mathematical cultures: (1) that of the mathematician and mathematics educator; and (2) that of the classroom teacher, and examines the underlying philosophical differences. Implications for preservice teacher education are discussed and a study is described that investigated the use of technology in an elementary mathematics methods…

Describes the Close Up Foundation, a nonpartisan civic organization, and its approaches to citizenship education. Indicates that the Foundation's goal is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that encourage greater civic participation and that its approach stresses the diversity of participants, active learning, a balance of viewpoints,…

Analyzes two students' responses to a self-diagnostic writing prompt. Finds that the essays are effective in allowing the reader to perform an accurate "diagnosis" and in allowing students the opportunity to articulate their own interests and concerns about their writing. (RS)

Reprints an article originally published in 1951. Argues that the group method should not be foisted on young teachers as the only way to teach. Notes that the group method requires a great deal of preparation and much teacher direction. Suggests that smart teachers will continue to use a variety of teaching methods. (RS)

Creativity requires application and balancing of three abilities--the synthetic, the analytic, and the practical. Teachers should serve as creativity role models, encourage questioning of assumptions, allow mistakes, encourage sensible risk taking, design creative assignments and assessments, let students define problems, and reward creative ideas…

Describes an evaluation model for expansion systems in information retrieval, i.e., systems expanding a user selection of documents to provide the user with a larger set of documents sharing the same or related characteristics. Highlights include a test protocol and evaluation measures for the efficiency of expansion systems. (Contains 29…

Reviews an autobiographical account of Fred Keller's experiences, documenting how traditional methods of instruction failed him both as a student and as a teacher, and how this failure motivated his quest for alternative methods of instruction culminating in the development of a personalized system of instruction. (KS)

Presents science activities using material available in cafeterias. The quick activities entice students to investigate further the concepts introduced and also illustrate that common materials can behave in surprising ways. In addition, they make excellent at-home science experiments. (PR)

Using the syllabus theme Insecta, strategies for implementing a holistic approach to teaching biology is described. This approach relies largely on self-activity, self-discovery, differentiation, and intrinsic motivation on the part of the student to enhance their learning experiences. (ZWH)

Students should have some experience with science carried out over time periods of several months or an entire school year. Presents suggestions to help teachers start their own bank of ideas for long-term science activities. (PR)

Presents detailed descriptions and diagrams for having students build their own hot air balloons. Describes the educational benefits of the balloon building. (PR)

Presents detailed descriptions and diagrams for having students build their own miniature box kites. Describes the educational benefits of the kite building. (PR)