This book presents an assessment model, developed from studies in two schools in Hawaii, that uses student-led conferences and the progress folio process to help students elevate their expectations as they progress through elementary school. The chapters are: (1) "Children First"; (2) "Bridging Learning Goals and Instruction";…

This article presents how Developmental Approaches in Science, Health and Technology (DASH) summer institute sparks the author to try and succeed in using inquiry with her young students. It is a program created by the Curriculum Research and Development Group, University of Hawaii, and funded in part by the National Science Foundation. DASH is an…

Primary students at one Hawaiian elementary school learn science through direct experience, gaining firsthand knowledge from their gardens and fieldwork. The article describes a garden project involving students and parents. The project, which was originally intended to teach students about plants, actually expanded their knowledge in a variety of…

Provided are student activities to introduce the geometric concepts of line symmetry and rotational symmetry as related to Hawaiian quilting patterns. Paper squares, scissors, and folding techniques afford the teacher the chance to stimulate class discussion about pattern recognition and to integrate mathematics with the cultural world outside the…

Designed to help teachers implement marine education in their classrooms, this module provides information regarding a vanishing Hawaiian resource, fishponds. Due to the impact of present day human activities on shoreline areas, the size and number of fishponds have been greatly reduced; therefore, this module focuses on fishponds as a resource…

Designed to help teachers develop students' awareness and understanding of some of Hawaii's endangered aquatic resources, this module contains activities and instructional suggestions for use with intermediate as well as high school students. The module is divided into two sections which explore the streams and estuaries of Kauai. Activities in…