Explores ways sketchbooks can be used in fifth-grade art, such as a record of ideas and information, an experimental space, a portable drawing resource, and a permanent collection and personal journal. Discusses briefly how students created their own sketchbooks and describes "Sketchapalooza," the culmination of the year-long project.…

Focuses on how student problem solving skills can be improved by teaching them a problem solving model. Includes a technique for developing student inquiry thinking using the game, Twenty Questions, or by examining conflicting statements. Includes the article, "Using Problem Solving Skills in a Fifth-Grade Classroom" (Alan Rock and Nicole…

Describes actual classroom projects that allowed fifth graders with special needs and learning disabilities to become adept at navigating and searching for information on the Internet. Presents feedback from students on their experiences using the Internet and finds that these classroom projects improved student reading and writing skills. (JMV)

Examines three factors that influence student learning and motivation of beginner foreign-language listening skills: text, context, and gender. Studies responses of fifth graders to computer-based foreign-language learning. Results indicate that providing text with spoken words facilitates the acquisition of listening skills, increases student…