Despite the expressed need for high-quality science education, very little research has been conducted on what middle school science learning opportunities look like in practice. This study was conducted in support of "Strengthening Science Education in California", a research, policy, and communications initiative. Partners in this…

The term "integrated curriculum" has many different, sometimes conflicting, meanings to educators. In this manual, integrated curriculum refers to the materials and pedagogical strategies used by "multidisciplinary" teams of teachers to organize their instruction so that students are encouraged to make meaningful connections…

In the year 2000, what started as an isolated pedagogical gambit at Glendale Community College (GCC) in Southern California has evolved into a program-wide initiative to revise the developmental composition curriculum and boost student learning outcomes. One instructor, frustrated with poor student motivation and success in his precollegiate…

This catalog lists both recommended and non-recommended bibliographies of instructional materials for California kindergarten through eighth grade English/language arts teachers and explains the choices of the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission. The California State Board of Education adopted the commission's…

The teacher who understands the importance of energy is often faced with the challenge of incorporating it into an already crowded curriculum. This compendium provides a resource for quality lesson plans and support materials at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The materials were evaluated for their ability to meet the educational…

California state-adopted commercial art and music instructional materials are described to aid state school districts in matching instructional materials with curriculum goals and objectives. Information is provided in three sections. An annotated index gives pertinent information about each program, including title, year of copyright, and grade…

This document outlines ancient civilization teaching models for California sixth graders. It is another response to teachers' requests for practical assistance in implementing the "History-Social Science Framework." Units include: (1) Early Humankind and the Development of Human Societies; (2) The Beginnings of Civilization in the Near…

This document, part of the lesson plan series, "Teaching with Historic Places," examines Spanish influences on the history of California through an exploration of one building, Rancho Los Alamitos. Located in the midst of what is now metropolitan Los Angeles, Rancho Los Alamitos began as a simple adobe house on a hill overlooking…

This resource packet contains three lessons on issues relating to recent debates over illegal immigration. Each lesson is designed to provide the teacher with a background reading, a directed discussion strategy, and one or more interactive classroom activities to address the topic presented. The first lesson, "Coming to America--Undocumented…

This teacher resource guide features educational materials on agriculture. It is divided into three sections. California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (CFAITC) Programs, Services and Instructional Materials provides information about the conferences, summer programs, newsletters, and lesson plans provided by CFAITC. Educational…

This curriculum guide seeks to contribute vision to the values and goals of outdoor education and to show their relevance to all curricular areas. Direction is provided for developing and implementing a dynamic curriculum in outdoor education. The guide is divided into three sections. Section I addresses the informational needs of administrators…

Instructional materials for helping eighth-grade students to expand their driving-related vocabulary and to become familiar with the driving laws and knowledge needed to pass the California driver's examination are presented in this unit from the Greenfield Express Management System (GEMS) program, a California Demonstration Program in Reading. A…

Designed to sensitize primary grade students to the responsibilities of protecting wild animals, this teaching unit contains a variety of interdisciplinary worksheets and activities. Although focusing on wild animals indigenous to San Mateo County (California), materials are easily adaptable for use in other areas. Examples of activities are…

This publication on common roofing and waterproofing materials and equipment is one of a series of units of instruction for roofing apprenticeship classes. The workbook portion is divided into eight topics: production of bitumens and asphalt roofing materials, built-up materials and adhesives, asphalt products and rigid roofing materials,…

In an effort to address young children's substantial risk for exposure to lead in out-of-home child care programs, outreach and training were developed for child care providers. This workshop curriculum consists of training activities and materials appropriate for child care providers in centers or homes for the purpose of educating them about the…