In this study aimed to identify preservice gifted education teachers' opinions on the instruction of life sciences and social studies courses and examine the activities, they developed regarding the several methods and techniques related to the courses. In this study, which has qualitative research features, an open-ended questionnaire was used as…

This mixed-method study examined the attitudes and opinions of Artvin Çoruh University teacher candidates regarding the use of creative drama instruction within social studies courses. Participants were 24 university students attending their junior year in the Social Studies teacher education program. Creative drama instruction was planned and…

More children are receiving care outside of their home under the age of six (Childstats.gov, 2007). The quality of these programs has a direct impact on student's readiness for school (Burchinal, Roberts, Nabors, & Bryant, 1996). Social readiness is the foundation for school readiness and academic achievement (Blair, 2002; Brigman, Lane, Lane,…

The "Foundations" (English/language arts, mathematics, social emotional skills, approaches to play and learning, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical health and growth) are Indiana's early learning development framework and are aligned to the 2014 Indiana Academic Standards. This framework provides core elements that…

Second and third grades studied in an experimental group obtained higher grades than a similar control group on a problem-solving posttest. (Editor)

Discusses what multicultural empowerment means and why it should play a major role in educating middle-school students; how elements of multicultural empowerment can be incorporated into middle-school social studies; and how drama pedagogy can be used to integrate middle-school multicultural education and social studies, outlining a progression of…

Teachers can create an interest in the founding period of U.S. history and present students with an authentic view of this time period through the presentation of this play. The dramatic pretense of the play is that the audience, by their presence, is part of the drama. The audience plays the part of travelers visiting a Philadelphia home in the…

Presents basic information for teachers about how to use role-play, dramatic play, and simulations in the elementary social studies classroom. Explains how to proceed through the introduction or warm-up, the activity itself, and the follow-up evaluation. (AV)

Describes historical background of the "Living Newspaper" theater, the procedure in using the genre as a classroom activity, and the evaluation of the activity for student learning. Presents an example of play design and an observation-debriefing form, concluding that this medium stimulates student curiosity about the past and may be…

Describes learning activities based on the U.S. Constitution that enhance higher level thinking skills in elementary students. One activity proposes a hypothetical constitutional amendment banning Saturday cartoons; a second taxes children's earnings; and other activities focus on dramatizing events surrounding the Constitutional Convention. (LS)

Students consider the case of Marbury v. Madison in a one-act play in an attempt to present constitutional issues in a more understandable format. Included are brief statements of purpose, objectives, background information, and the play. (SM)

GRADES OR AGES: Kindergarten. SUBJECT MATTER: Complete kindergarten program. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The guide is divided into several chapters. The portion which outlines the curriculum content is divided into nine types of "becoming experiences" --communicative, numerical, scientific, social, physical, musical, artistic,…

GRADES OR AGES: Kindergarten. SUBJECT MATTER: General, including the following categories: language development, social studies, mathematics and science, music art, dramatic play, and physical development. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The central part of the guide is divided into eight sections, one for each of the above-mentioned program…

Role-playing and creative dramatics provide children with practice in a great number of vital human concerns. A sample lesson for use in elementary grades is designed to help children understand systems thinking. A variety of global concepts are presented in the lessons. (SM)

Believes structured playtime that occurs in a well-designed play center can provide rich opportunities for young children to construct knowledge related to both social studies and literacy. Expounds how elementary teachers can create an integrated play center by collaborating with their students on the design, implementation, and response to the…