Describes recent publications and traveling exhibition services (and related materials) of the Smithsonian Museum. (RH)

The school environment must create a rich, beautiful, dynamic, meaningful experience for students to learn; however, architects, school boards, and the state focus almost exclusively only on the building when making design decisions. This document lists specific aspects to developing a visionary campus: one that provides a three-dimensional…

A classroom visit by an international visitor is potentially a unique educational experience. Students have an opportunity to: increase awareness of their own values and of their foundation in the sociocultural patterns of their natural family, community, and nation; increase capacity for empathetic interpersonal relations; and become aware of…

This paper presents a summary of curriculum guidelines in geography. The three elements of curriculum development -- objectives, learning experiences, and evaluation -- are sumarized, and a large number of questions on each element are listed as a checklist for teachers and curriculum developers. (Author/JR)

A technique, useful in loosening up the stiffness of the first class meeting, is a people scavenge. Its objective is to identify people who have certain knowledge or have had particular experiences relative to class content. Scavenges make interesting "get acquainted" activities for groups meeting together for the first time. (NQA)

The personal student journal is a little-used technique that holds special promise for instructors working in diverse educational settings. Journals can be used as an instructional tool for students, as a means for nurturing self-directed learning, and as a bridge to personal growth. (PP)

Discusses the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child as it seeks to establish the right of children to participate in discussions and decisions about their own situations. Includes action taken by children around the world to promote participation. Stresses the necessity of participation to become responsible, active citizens in a democracy.…

Excerpts from students' writing illustrate the differences between Foxfire and other learning approaches and the dilemmas students face in Foxfire classes, including choices, decisions and responsibilities; developing new skills in a new process; participating in the democratic process; effectively working together; and nontraditional evaluations.…

Overreliance on standardized testing sends a message to students that learning is remembering facts, and that intelligence is a function of how quickly people can do things. In schools around the country, the content and style of teaching are being placed in the service of the tests. (MLF)

This curriculum guide, an information and planning resource in dance education, is intended to advance the teaching of dance in Minnesota's public schools. The guide is intended for use by both generalist and specialist teachers, grades K-12, in a variety of situations. "Part One: Orientation" includes a discussion of the use and purpose of the…

Beginning with a review of the purpose of social studies education and the major responsibilities of teachers, this paper goes on to discuss various approaches to citizenship education, including the verbalizing of perceived values at the elementary and secondary levels; the study of persistent social, economic, and political problems; the…

The brain's architecture serves as the basic model for theorizing about how the brain works. Current brain research confirms earlier suspicions that thoughtfulness has a great deal more complexity than the simplistic left/right distinctions of earlier research. This paper draws on the work of Carl Jung to propose the brain-psyche model as an…

An outline is provided for a 3-day unit of instruction in the area of development education. The unit has been implemented in several hundred Danish schools and aims to (1) teach children about other children's lives and conditions while increasing awareness of their own situation, (2) convey to pupils that all children have some basic needs that…

Suggests five techniques for combining learning with fun, including (1) lessons that evoke the joy and pride of mastery, (2) learning adventures, (3) "democratic" classrooms, (4) educational games and discovery learning centers, and (5) reward or rest breaks from study. (CJM)

Introduces "Teaching with Historic Places," a lesson plan series designed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service. Suggests that teaching with historic places helps students develop an empathetic connection to the past. Explains that students use historic places as primary sources to gather facts and…