Discusses the portrayal of women in Canadian history textbooks. Analyzes the extent of sex stereotyping in the books from the 1960s to the present. Suggests that the best way to address the problem is to meet it head on. Notes the failure of a Newfoundland teachers' group to win incorporation of a gender roles course into the curriculum. (SG)

Determined that emergent literacy activities that experts identified as appropriate to instructional materials were not prominent in basal text materials. Found small differences between meaning- and decoding-oriented material in literary quality, letter-sound correspondence, and word identification. (BC)

Presents a study to evaluate the cognitive level of questions in middle school science textbooks. Questions and their location were coded from six randomly selected chapters in eight middle school science textbooks. Results indicated that input level questions were the dominant question type, probably leading to students functioning at lower…

Reviews introductory sociology texts from 1950-89. Reports that heterosexual biases are embedded in sociology as taught. Argues that goals of sociology texts should include the recognition and exploration of difference rather than the homogenization of sexuality. Concludes that, although introductory sociology texts have made advances in…

Study compared two generations of seven high school chemistry texts (1970/1973) and current editions analyzed for gender fairness in illustrations and concrete analogies. Among conclusions was there were significant differences between the old textbooks and newer textbooks in relative frequencies of illustrations of men and woman and no…

Introduces a new series of U.S. history textbooks geared to grade five (or grades four, five, and six). The 10-volume series, divided into short, manageable chapters, aims to make history come alive. An excerpt from Book 6 ("War, Terrible War") about the Civil War is presented. (SLD)

Prepared by a team of Haifa teacher trainers, this article analyzes 11 English textbooks, showing in tabular form the strengths and weaknesses of each. Criteria included presentation of language skills, vocabulary, grammar, communicative activities, and dictionary skills. (LB)

A miniresearch project is reported on the attitudes toward minority groups and women in English textbooks used in Israel. The questionnaire and 12 criteria used offer a simple method by which teachers can examine and select materials they review for class use. (LB)

Critiques nine major curriculum texts. Argues the field has failed to produce important research. Looks at citation ratios in curriculum research journals versus other scholarly journals. Explores the impact and influence between curriculum texts and their intended audience. Includes suggestions for a curriculum program from the…

This review focuses on 15 general applied multivariate textbooks that were published in the 1980s and have potential for in-class use by social and behavioral science students. The review covers content, information on previous book reviews, computer use coverage, reliance on matrices, and quality ratings. (TJH)

Several texts for adult literacy classes are reviewed and trends are indicated in the following areas: definitions, assumptions of prior knowledge, teacher guidance, reading instruction, writing instruction, writing expectations, reading/writing strategies, grammar, and illustrative materials. Questions for teacher guidance are appended. (Contains…

Discusses aspects of context from a relevance-theoretic perspective and considers how this may lead to a better understanding of how language learners recover verbal input. Proposes that the way context is defined affects (1) the relationship between knowledge of language and context and (2) the way speakers access assumptions in everyday…

This article reviews seven texts intended for use in special education technology courses making use of a matrix developed to compare the texts on visual layout, organization, technology integration, planning, educational technology in context, administrative planning, skills related lessons, and assistive technology features. (DB)

Environmental education has increasingly become part of the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) curriculum worldwide. This article analyses 26 EFL textbooks used in Japan, to discover what kind of environmental education they offer, and what this says about intercultural communication in the teaching/learning process. The results show how…

In 2002 a paper entitled "Writing Church-sponsored Religious Education Textbooks" by Engebretson was published in the "British Journal of Religious Education". This paper reported on and analysed some aspects of the development, by the Catholic Archdiocese in Melbourne, Victoria, of a series of religious education textbooks to…