In this paper, I present a critical review of the recent book, "On Teaching the Nature of Science: Perspectives and Resources," written by Douglas Allchin (2013). This publication presents an in-depth examination of the nature of science construct, as well as instruction for educators about how to teach it effectively utilizing…

The author reviews three books that provide complementary and thought-provoking insights. The three books under review are: (1) "Reproducing class: education, neoliberalism, and the rise of the new middle class in Istanbul," by Henry J. Rutz and Erol M. Balkan; (2) "Technology, culture, family: influences on home life," by…

Reviews the Smithsonian Institute's publication, "Generations--A Universal Family Album," which was developed to accompany the exhibition inaugurating the museum's new International Gallery. The book explores ways in which families around the world and throughout the centuries have welcomed and nurtured infants and children. (BB)

Despite its failings, Herrnstein and Murray's "The Bell Curve" is valuable for emphasizing cognition as significantly affecting human performance and social achievement; acknowledging human differences; and offering a frightening depiction of contemporary American society. The authors err in reducing intelligence to a stable, immutable…

Notes Modell's examination of complexities of adoption from the perspectives of birthparents, adoptive parents, and adoptees, using lenses of kinship theory and symbolism, particularly blood as the central symbol of kinship in western cultures. Argues that as an anthropological study, Modell's work does not explicitly draw implications for…

Discusses Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind," examining his critique of relativism, particularly cultural relativism. The paper states that the existence of cultural relativism is a cause and sign of significant fragmentation and separateness in modern society and the university. (SM)

Reviews three books that (1) provide a systemic overview of schooling in Mexico in the 20th century, (2) present a critical ethnography of Mexican student culture and identity formation, and (3) incorporate analyses of indigenous cultural practices into cognitive theory. Reflects on the future of Mexican education in view of political corruption…

Describes the understanding, nature, and meaning of mathematical culture and the implications of mathematical culture for mathematics education. (YP)

Reviews four books that address the effects on Japanese schools of dominant cultural beliefs, particularly perseverance of these beliefs and its relationship to success, the primacy of the group, and the superiority of meritocracy. (SV)

Reviews two recent books that place the discussion of Japanese education within the social and psychological context of Japanese culture. One book depicts Japanese society's commitment to children; the other explores conceptual and empirical issues related to U.S.-Japanese comparative studies in child development. (RH)

The boundaries between entertainment, education, and commercialization collapse through Disney's reach into diverse spheres of everyday life. Disney's "innocence" is a promotional mask covering its aggressive marketing techniques and influence in transforming children into active consumers. Although Disney's films are joyous and…

Reviewed is a book, "Mathematics Education and Culture," which was a special issue of this journal in 1988. Questioned are some of the current tenets about the meaning and significance of the concept "culture" for a theory of mathematics education. Calls for an open scientific debate, unfettered by moral and ideological prejudices and fashionable…

According to Herrnstein and Murray's "The Bell Curve" (1994), public education cannot alter the economic, social, or political stratification of American society. Intelligence is supposedly being combined and concentrated, and there is no inexpensive, reliable method to raise IQ. Actually, the book justifies the economic status quo and a…

Reviews four books that contextually examine definitions of childhood and adolescence: "Peer Power: Preadolescent Culture and Identity" (Patricia A. Adler and Peter Adler); "Angels' Town: Chero Ways, Gang Life, and Rhetorics of the Everyday" (Ralph Cintron); "Everyday Courage: The Lives and Stories of Urban Teenagers"…

This "snapshot" presents a review of a new family literacy handbook. Edited by Dr. Barbara Wasik of the FPG Child Development Institute, "The Handbook of Family Literacy" provides scholars, students, policymakers and practitioners (both inside and outside the field) with a valuable snapshot of its current boundaries and rapidly growing content.…