Freshman composition teachers who are attuned to real-life writing situations can extend the scope of traditional research paper assignments and at the same time meet the writing needs of other disciplines. For example, history students could record data from old records, or fine arts students could describe their artistic observations. To lead…

This guide was designed to help secondary teachers use a series of radio programs based on the book, "First-Person America," an oral history collection derived in turn from a massive body of first-person accounts originally collected during the 1930's by the Federal Writer's Project. The series dramatizes the texture of everyday life in…

Prewriting, critical probe questions, and post-writing-recasting for plural audiences-(audience-relating) are three tactics that can be used in research paper instruction to help college students gain skill in "real world" writing and in critical assessment of issues and evidence. The prewriting tactics of freewriting, listing specifics,…

Suggests ways in which teachers of economics may use online bibliographic and numerical databases to enhance lectures and update reading lists. Focuses on techniques which can reduce the costs of such searches and includes a section on introducing students to online searching for their term papers. (JDH)

Research and learning opportunities for elementary and secondary students at the seven presidential libraries located around the country are discussed. A questionnaire was sent to each institution, and several of the libraries were visited. Also presented is an overview of the presidential library system. (RM)

The issues that ignited the Solidarity movement in August 1980 had been fermenting for years during the Edward Gierek regime (1970-1980). This curriculum project presents students with an experiential exercise to provoke thinking about the economic shortcomings of the communist countries of the former Soviet bloc. The project also presents the…

Cemeteries dot the U.S. urban and rural landscape. They hold genealogical information and more. This guide suggests using cemeteries as an informative resource for classroom study. The guide outlines research strategies, provides additional information for interpreting and understanding cemeteries in rural and urban South Carolina, and contains…

In the belief that questions about peace, justice, freedom, and security are vital to civic education, the United States Institute of Peace established the National Peace Essay Contest, which is designed to promote discussion of international peace and conflict resolution, complement existing curricula, and strengthen students' research, writing,…

This lesson uses students' areas of interest both in and out of school to generate personalized vocabulary lists. Working in small groups, grade 3 to 5 students select their own vocabulary words and research their meanings. In a culminating activity that uses text and illustration, each student will create a "My World of Words Journal." During…

Seventy-six Fort Lauderdale third, fourth, and fifth graders spent an entire day researching, measuring, comparing, and creating fantasies about feet. This article describes "Foot Day" and presents the activity sheets used by the students. (Author/SJL)

Describes a secondary school teacher resource package based on the development of a southern Ontario community, St. John's. The sequential program is designed to develop history and geography research skills. A sample lesson is provided. (KC)

As an alternative to studying Washington and Lincoln during February, the author's sixth-grade class chose to research the life and times of another president, William Henry Harrison, who was born on February 9. (SJL)

The author makes a case for replacing the traditional English term paper with short repeatable research assignments as a better way of developing students' reading comprehension and self-management skills in the writing process. He appends a sequential task outline for the stages of a research assignment. (SJL)

To capitalize on the thoughtful use of resources and technology, students should be taught how to allocate time to different stages of the research process. Examines the research process; discusses intrinsic and extrinsic motivation; and suggests teachers make engaging assignments, provide time for synthesizing, and encourage thinking rather than…

Demonstrates how alphabet books for upper elementary and middle school readers may be incorporated in instruction. Shares titles of alphabet books for older readers and activities for applying these books in the areas of reading comprehension, vocabulary, self-interest, research, and poetry. (RS)