This paper argues that ritual and other cultural forms can be validly compared to one another only at the level of their meaning and that in order to do this one must begin by setting them in the sociocultural context which gives them meaning. A ritual at a hospital for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and alcoholics is described, analyzed, and…

Describes the major Moslem edifice (the Ka'bah) in the holy city of Mecca and explains the importance of the Ka'bah in Muslim religious belief. Cultural and religious practices related to the Ka'bah are described. (Author/DB)

Chronicles the experiences of teachers and elementary students from the United States and Costa Rica as they participated in a videoconferencing project, initiated by Costa Rican students and made possible by CATE, Center for Applied Technologies in Education. Notes that the distance learning experience enhanced academic, technological and…

Recommends ways of increasing social diversity at residential camps. Suggests incorporating multiethnic, multicultural purpose into camp statements, staff training, and daily program. Describes multicultural activities for campers. Emphasizes value of role modeling and discussion of sensitive issues. (TES)

Non-Natives (or immigrants) wrongly adopt aspects of Native ceremonies out of ignorance and misunderstanding, a tendency to romanticize Native culture, and a desire to connect with the land. Non-Native outdoor educators should examine their own cultural traditions, develop new ceremonies, and learn from Native elders those Native cultural aspects…

Presents a chart containing minibiographies of African Americans and highlighting the contributions they have made to society. The biographies are arranged under the headings science and medicine, pioneers, literature, public figures, the arts, and sports. Each biography is followed by questions and suggestions for additional research. (SM)

Discussion of the use of interactive video to address issues of culture and gender in multicultural art classrooms focuses on an adaptation of "The Vincent Van Gogh Laserguide" at California State University-Los Angeles to teach students how to talk about and analyze works of art. (LRW)

Asserts that the idea that intimate knowledge of the arts is crucial to the workings of a healthy society is catching on. Provides a history of American attitudes toward the arts. Summarizes ideas presented in reports by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council. (PRA)

Discusses how teachers can facilitate greater cultural understanding and acceptance among their students. Describes activities for primary school students that are useful in promoting cultural understanding and acceptance, such as a unit on comparing folk tales and exploring cultures through art. Includes a bibliography of resources. (CMK)

Explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, related to geography skills (mapping, locational distribution, directional skills, locational change, decision making), on topics such as geographic place names, location of indigenous language speaking groups, traditional stories as navigational tools, shifts in population, and mining.…

Early childhood education faces theoretical dilemmas as it reexamines the role of culture in the development of children and struggles to define what "developmentally appropriate" means and for whom. Teachers and other caregivers are working to integrate an anti-bias, multicultural approach into the overall curriculum and everyday…

English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students and their American peers, teachers, and community leaders can appreciate cultural differences at a school International Day. Guided by their teachers, students can benefit from improving their communication, organizational, and research skills as they plan the event. Compositions help students organize…

Noting that the United States is fast becoming the most culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse nation in the world, this book is designed to help parents, teachers, and other child caregivers teach children and teens respect and appreciation for all cultural, ethnic, and racial groups. Using age-appropriate examples, the book shows how to…

Designed as a teacher resource, the booklet contains nine short lessons related to events in United States history that are remembered in August: the birthday of Francis Scott Key, composer of the national anthem (August 1); the first United States census (August 1); the birthday of Herbert Hoover, 31st President (August 2); the birthday of Julian…