Described is a cooperative content study group approach to learning that minimizes individual student memorization and maximizes student interaction. Directions for preparing instructional materials and implementing cooperative home teams, a sample home team worksheet, sample test and study items, and hints and suggestions are included. (KR)

Presents a hands-on activity for bridging the gap between the exposure to three-dimensional topography and contour mapping. This activity describes the use of a volcano-making activity and offers laboratory sheets that can be duplicated for student use. Argues that students learn the concept of contour mapping better in a guided fashion that holds…

This collection of materials for a 2-day workshop on collaborative teaching, cooperative learning, critical thinking, and critical assessment of resources includes an agenda for each day; workshop goals; guidelines for preparing an annotation; a letter to participants that accompanied four articles for them to read before the workshop; information…

In this interdisciplinary curriculum unit for kindergarten, students gain an appreciation for the challenges facing the United States when the Declaration of Independence was written. Students work in groups to create their own pretend declaration of independence and develop a flag, national anthem, monuments, and plans for holidays. The student…

This simulation allows students to learn about the struggle of daily life in Plymouth Colony. Students experience the hardships of life in the New World as they make decisions and face consequences as the Pilgrims did nearly 400 years ago. The unit is divided into nine phases with each phase taking approximately one hour of class time. Students…

In this interdisciplinary curriculum unit, students explore and debate the school uniform issue, considering legal and policy questions. Students are provided with background information, detailed instructions, on-line resources, and reflection questions. The teacher's notes describe the unit's purpose, its correlation to history/social science…

This curriculum unit requires students to use science, geography, and language arts skills in studying the weather. Students are asked to report on weather anomalies and are provided with background information, detailed instructions, online resources, and reflection questions. The teacher's guide describes the unit's purpose, correlation to…

Describes the use of cooperative learning groups in a competitive setting. Discusses teaching objectives, delivery methods, grading procedures and results of a cooperative learning unit which is used to teach the Middle Ages to seventh grade students. Provides student instructional materials. Activities include time period newspapers and the…

Presents activities involving multiple embedded figures beginning with the problem of counting the number of squares on a checkerboard. Offers several extensions and assessment suggestions. Includes student worksheets. (MKR)

Describes a lesson using magazine photographs to help students learn about cultural diversity. Cooperative learning and discovery learning techniques are utilized. A student observation sheet and culture picture map are included. (CFR)

In this kindergarten unit, students read "My Blue Suitcase" by Sharon Katz as an introduction to traveling. After reading, students gather resources, including books, magazines, maps, CD-ROMs, videos, and information from the Internet. After collecting resources, students make a collage of the items they will need for the trip they are taking.…

In this lesson, student teams research one of the species of early humans. Teams will create presentations that include information on physical traits, habitat, era, means of survival, culture, and relationship to modern humans. Students are provided with background information, detailed instructions, on-line resources, and reflection questions.…

This simulation allows students to experience the mystery of exploration and the hazards and perils of colonial life. Students are divided into 4- to 6-person colonizing groups. After acquiring some background information they then become colonists. They spend the remainder of the simulation making decisions, working, coping, surviving, and…

This simulation allows students to participate in situations and events similar to those experienced by pioneers who headed west in early wagon trains. Students face problems such as floods, droughts, blocked trails, snakes, Indians, and the lack of food. Students must make numerous individual and small-group decisions that provide them with a…

In this interdisciplinary curriculum unit, students work in groups to examine, role play, and report on how the United States should have responded to England in the War of 1812. Students take on the roles of news reporters to explain and evaluate U.S. policy and are provided with background information, detailed instructions, on-line resources,…