Picture books are useful tools for teaching many abstract and complex concepts of the social studies at the elementary level. They allow students to develop visual literacy through sustained viewing time necessary for exploration, critique, and reflection on the images portrayed. Numerous examples of picture books are presented to support such…

This book, which focuses on strategies for content area literacy, employs a step-by-step approach to help students comprehend content area texts, effectively express their ideas in writing, and acquire the literacy skills they need to succeed. The book provides a research-based framework for teaching reading and writing with strategies for…

Presents activities related to material included in the Winter 1997 "OAH Magazine of History" (v11 n2). The activities are linked to photographs appearing in the theme issue on labor history. Activities include discussion questions and writing assignments related to the photographs. (MJP)

Outlines four exercises for high school students to demonstrate how people perceive color differently because of changing light conditions, varying viewpoints, and the viewer's preconceived notions of color. Maintains that an artist can use color perception to control a viewer's mood. (KM)

Utilizes a 17th-century Italian sculpture and an African fetish figure to illustrate essential qualities and characteristics of figurative sculpture. Points out the extreme differences and the many similarities between the two and offers explanations. Includes a process for leading students through "reading" the sculptures. (MJP)

An examination of 19th century U.S. art and literature reveals the country's strong identification with nature, the ideals of individual freedom and pioneer courage, and the faith in human nature embraced by the immigrants who expanded the country. In the 17th and 18th centuries, U.S. painting reflected the styles and standards of English art. By…

Prepared as part of a series applying recent research in oral and written communication instruction to classroom practice, this booklet examines the role of technology in the classroom. Following a brief discussion of the impact of television on students, the first major section of the booklet explores the power of television as a curriculum tool.…

This guide provides classroom assessment models and strategies that can be used by teachers in planning for efficient day-to-day assessment of the English Language Arts Common Curriculum Goals and in tracking individual student progress over time. The guide lists individual grade level expectations from the Common Curriculum Goals with possible…

Observes a number of illustrations from a wide variety of whaling narratives and discusses the purposes and assumptions behind them. Considers the individual artists and their contributions. Francis Allyn Olmstead romanticized the profession while J. Ross Brown emphasized the sordid aspects of whaling life. (MJP)

Discusses using educational and popular films and television for history instruction. Argues that students need training to see the bias built into film making through the editing process. Urges that critical thinking must be developed in students to make use of mass media coverage of historical and current events as teaching tools. (DK)

Contends that history teachers should help students develop critical viewing and thinking skills about visual images. Discusses the emerging practice of blurring the lines between entertainment and information in television, films, and other visual presentations. Provides two sets of questions to help students analyze documentaries, television…

Using the resources in this curriculum guide, teachers will be able to develop highly individualized programs of studio experiences that will meet the needs of interested students at all levels of secondary education. The guide suggests that students have direct contact with the various forms, dimensions, and media of the visual and plastic arts.…

Noting that many elements of the English classroom--printed books, paper, pens, and typewriters--now considered indispensable were once innovations in technology, the articles in this focused journal issue explore the impact of electronic technologies on the English classroom and how to adapt those technologies to instruction. The essays deal with…

Elaborates some strategies for incorporating soap opera into a composition course for remedial English students. Approach provides an instructional uniformity--everyone will be writing on the same subject matter; and plot, narrative, characterization, structure, etc. can be discussed and essay topics developed. (NKA)

This serial issue examines the theme of picture books as resources for art production and art response; gives specific project descriptions; and looks at the relationship between words and pictures, and the creative connection between art and language. Articles are: (1) "Editor's View" (Sharon McCoubrey); (2) "The Creative…