The analyses of 11 language arts programs are based on searches into the instructional design of the programs. Four elements--intents, contents, methodology, and means of evaluation--are considered in the analyses. (Author/MLF)

Evaluates an elementary textbook (Journeys in Science, volume 3) on thermodynamics. Points out some inadequate expressions and explains the reasons. (YP)

Examines the reading level and potential comprehension level of 10 fourth-grade science textbooks. Reports that there is a great deal of variability between and within the science texts. (YP)

Elementary and junior high school science textbooks were analyzed for the presence of prerequisite topics on evolution (protoconcepts). Results indicated that coverage of evolutionary protoconcepts varies considerably among published textbooks. Recommendations for teacher analysis of textbooks are provided. (ZWH)

Explores the history of social studies instruction. Reports findings of an analysis of 1,217 lessons contained in 5 social studies textbooks. Concludes that geography, history, and anthropology receive the greatest coverage in the books, whereas sociology and political science are stressed least. Identifies differences among the five books.…

Critiques an elementary social studies program by analyzing commercially available curriculum materials. Discusses goals, content selection, organization and sequencing, and explication in the text. Suggests that publishers should (1) shift from content coverage objectives to more general social education purposes; (2) connect information in…

Investigated the nature and representation of vocabulary instruction in the teachers' edition of social studies textbooks for grades four through eight. Found that although publishers realized the importance of vocabulary, they continued to include vocabulary activities that represent traditional rather than higher order ideas about how to support…

Elementary social studies textbooks in the United States were analyzed to determine the sort of information they contained about Australia. Only those texts which made substantive references to Australia were analyzed; these included 4 books for level 3, 2 for level 4, and 4 for level 6. Books examined were all published by major textbook…

Discusses and compares surveys made in 1965 and again in 1971 of the fourth, fifth and sixth grade textbooks of six publishers: the publishers chosen were those most frequently mentioned when a random sample of Minnesota school districts was asked to name the basic social studies textbook(s) being used at the time. (Author/JM)

The authors review literature on conventional and special approaches to arithmetic instruction with emphasis on applying these approaches to the teaching of elementary learning disabled students with disorders in the area of arithmetic. Section I focuses on the instructional context of arithmetic. It is suggested that generalization teaching…

These guidelines are meant to assist parents and educators in identifying books for children that are free of sexism, racism, ageism, and classism. Methods for analyzing both storybooks and textbooks for bias are presented. Special emphasis is placed on evaluating basal readers and history texts. A number of evaluative checklists are presented…

Methodological problems have plagued evaluation researchers in their attempt to provide data for making decisions about selection of curricula and instructional materials. This report describes how two methodological problems were handled to assist a city school district derive meaningful data and apply findings to the selection of a basal reading…

First of two reports investigating 24 elementary school reading programs. The 12 analyses in this volume contain sections with basic descriptive information, instructional design constructs, congruence and summary, and other considerations. (Author/MLF)

Second of two reports investigating 24 elementary school reading programs. The 12 analyses in this volume contain sections with basic descriptive information, instructional design constructs, congruence and summary, and other considerations. (Author/MLF)

An examination of characters, narrative content, and context of two Canadian primary level reading series reveals a fictional world populated almost exclusively by white, nuclear families all living the same kind of life, with values of upwardly mobile, achievement-oriented individualists. (MJB)