Most children know they should not pollute but have never considered why. One elementary school teacher creates a lesson for third- through fifth-grade students that makes the connection concrete. In the lesson, students consider the possible effects a trash item would have on an animal and its habitat, identifying ways in which the piece of trash…

Presented is a description of a program developed which provided students, forestry agencies, mine operators and individual instructors an opportunity to exchange ideas, to learn more about strip mining, and to survey the kinds of conservation education programs needed in the schools. (EB)

Presented are facts related to what putting handicapped children with normal children in regular classroom may or may not accomplish. The meaning of mainstreaming and factors included in labeling youngsters as mentally retarded are discussed. The article favors teaching handicapped and normal children together. (EB)

Some definitions of the term "basic education" are presented in terms of minimum competency, educational accountability, and basic science education. (BB)

Learning of the concept of horizontality by fourth graders was investigated. Comparisons by age and sex were made. (BB)

Presents a position paper by the NSTA on status of metric education at the elementary school level. Recommendations are made for national consistency in metric education. Eleven general trends for teaching metrics successfully are listed. (SLH)

Reported are preservice elementary teachers' (N=204) responses to 19 items considered as significant predictors of their energy conservation attitudes. Among the results are findings that 75 percent of the sample believes America's strength as a world leader depends on its ability to use energy wisely and a willingness to conserve energy. (JN)

Lists characteristics possessed by gifted young children and provides a checklist of processes necessary to the development of their special talents. Suggests ways to use this information in developing a curriculum for the gifted and talented student. (MA)

Outlines procedures for using silkworms in elementary science, mathematics, history, ecology, social studies, language arts, art, and physical education. Also focuses on the silkworm's use of the mulberry tree. (DDR)

Presents an activity in which students design, construct, and test "super ears" to investigate sound and hearing. Students work in groups of three and explore how the outer ear funnels sound waves to the inner ear and how human hearing compares to that of other animals. (NB)

Describes a field trip experience for the Earth Odyssey project for elementary school students focusing on biodiversity. Introduces the concept of diversity, field work, species richness, and the connection between animals and their habitat. (YDS)

Introduces research projects based on the Lewis and Clark journals that focus on building communication skills. Provides two outdoor activities for multidisciplinary learning and numerous science investigations. (KHR)