Discusses the introduction of Cosmic Education to Montessori elementary school children, focusing on the way the curriculum is structured around five "great stories": Creation, The Coming of Life, The Coming of Humans, and the stories of the development of Language and Mathematics. (JPB)

Educational theorists repeatedly call for more hands-on, authentic, interpretative instruction in social studies. They characterize such instruction as "helping students understand the knowledge construction process" or teaching students "to construct their own historical narratives." While there have been some exceptions, most…

This report, intended for teachers, administrators, school board members, parents, community leaders, and other concerned leaders, provides a rationale for the restructuring of elementary school education and makes specific recommendations for realizing that vision. The introduction discusses the need for educational changes in light of…

This book contains lesson plans that provide an integrated approach to incorporating Great Lakes environmental issues into elementary subjects. The book is divided into three subject areas: (1) History, which includes the origins of the Great Lakes, Great Lakes people, and shipwrecks; (2) Social Studies, which covers government, acid rain as a…

In order to investigate elementary school students' understanding of historical time, this study conducted open-ended interviews with 58 children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The students were asked to place nine illustrations from various periods of American history in chronological order and to talk about the reasoning behind the order…

Designed for elementary school students, the unit presents five brief sessions for teaching an historical event using a fine arts approach. By incorporating dance, drama, art, and music into the study of historical events, students heighten their awareness of themselves and of the characters in history. In session 1, students reenact and discuss…

Part of an international series of amply illustrated, colorful, small size books for children ages 5 to 10, this volume chronicles the life and times of the Barbarians. The book covers the time period from the 5th century B.C. in Greece through the Viking invasion of coastal Europe in the 9th century A.D. Various Barbarian groups are discussed…

Intended for primary teachers this booklet contains many hints for enriching classroom activities. It includes 100 ways to "publish" student writing and art work by using student created books, newspapers, magazines, letters, plays, notice boards, assembly reports, art and craft work, tape recordings, writing clubs, and "buy-a-book" days. Also…

This unit on the role of the military in Wyoming history provides activities which focus on the system of forts which began in 1849, Indian conflicts, World War II, and the Army and Air National Guard. Student activities include illustrating various battles, locating major Wyoming forts on a map, field trips to F.E. Warren Air Force Base and Fort…

These instructional materials on Filipino Americans for elementary students were developed through the K.E.Y.S. project (knowledge of English Yields Success). The contents include statistics on the Filipino American population, background information about the Philippines becoming a U.S. territory, early immigration and more recent immigration to…

These instructional materials on Samoans in the United States for elementary students were developed through the K.E.Y.S. project (Knowledge of English Yields Success). Information is included about Samoa, migration of Samoans to the United States, cultural background, and Samoan students. Resource guides describe the purpose of the unit, how to…

These selections were chosen to give practical, understandable answers to several questions concerning concept teaching. What are concepts? Why teach them? How can concepts be taught? What are the implications of teaching? Here concept teaching implies: 1) developing the learners ability to conceptualize; 2) evolving more complex…

This study is an attempt both to describe and evaluate the goals and practices in English primary and secondary social education. Data was gathered through visits to schools, interviews with students, teachers, administrators, and others, and examination of curriculum guides, syllabi, textbooks, exams, and other teaching materials. The following…

This book presents a variety of social studies activities for elementary students. The activities are divided into broad social science disciplines but can be adapted to an interdisciplinary format. The activities are wide-ranging in ability level and complexity but can be modified to fit any teaching need. Each activity follows the same format…

Claims children form initial views on sex roles between the ages of three and six, and describes ways to use biographies of women to broaden this perspective. Includes class activities for grades one through five, outlines of lesson plans, a list of biographies, and resource material. (NL)