Students role-play one method the government uses to make decisions: a town council meeting. Groups express opinions for or against proposed resolutions and town council announces its decisions to the groups. Students learn how government resolves issues and develop criteria for making decisions. The example used is whether a limited deer hunt…

Role play is effective in cooperative learning because it reduces anxiety, promotes risk taking, and is versatile. Students share ideas, values, knowledge, and skills, creating mutual problem solving. Limitations include the time required and student personalization of roles. The article lists guidelines for enhancing role play, noting alternative…

Educators who introduced cooperative learning (CL) in their school district present their feelings, ideas, and experiences. They note that CL takes commitment, work, time, and practice. The rewards are improvements in learning, social skills, and achievement. They recommend CL because it addresses current educational needs. (SM)

Describes 15 types of educational telecomputing activities that can be integrated into students' academic explorations. Three categories of activities are presented: (1) person-to-person communications, including LISTSERV discussion groups and electronic mail; (2) information collections, such as database creation; (3) and collaborative problem…

This booklet contains activities related to energy conservation and sources of energy that are suitable for groups containing people of different ages. The activities promote brainstorming, group sharing, and cooperative learning. Activities include: Energy Name Game; Energy Pantomime; Energy Source Relay Race; Energy Chants; This Week in Energy…

This book contains innovative hands-on science laboratory activities that teach basic scientific method skills and are designed to be used directly with 4th- through 9th-grade students. The background materials and instructions included in each activity are written for students to work together in teams. Lab titles are: observation lab,…

The objectives of this "reading club" manual are to encourage reading; to provide a handbook for library staff and volunteers to use as a whole or in parts to complete their reading programs; and to aid librarians in helping participants in the reading club experience a feeling of accomplishment by providing ideas that are fun for…

This activities and techniques book was developed within the framework of a cooperative learning model. Direct instruction in specific social skills such as communication, problem solving, conflict management, group dynamics, and meeting management is emphasized. The development of thinking skills and building of self-esteem through successful…

This book provides educators with the background and procedures needed to conduct group investigation, a method for classroom instruction in which students work collaboratively in small groups to examine, experience, and understand their topic of study. Significantly different from traditional instruction, group investigation is designed to appeal…

The resource guide for use with personnel concerned with outdoor education for handicapped children provides a guide to activities, techniques, resources, and equipment. The first section consists of analyzed activities as they relate to individual education plans and treatment plan objectives. Provided for each activity is a description of the…

By "challenges" are meant portions of foreign language lessons involving group activities, motivating the pupils to a more active participation in the learning process. Describes the use of a lesson series of this type, "Getting It Said," in a 9th grade class. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Intended for use as staff development for both new and experienced teachers who will participate in mentoring programs, this guide discusses effective mentoring in English education. Section 1 of the guide discusses the Texas Center for Reading and Language Arts and outlines how its multiple projects are designed to share successful strategies and…

Describes how to use whole language instruction in the music classroom. Discusses the various aspects of whole language instruction, such as authentic learning experiences, whole concept, learning that focuses on inquiry, the importance of social interaction, and reflection. Lists appropriate activities. (CMK)

Addresses the problems and methods of assessing individual performance within a group project. A peer evaluation technique by Culp and Malone was implemented in which group members were asked to identify the percent contribution they and other group members made to categories such as creativity, research, writing, and organizing. Ratings were then…

Describes how a 1913 Music Supervisors National Conference (MENC) committee identified 18 songs to be included in the curriculum and taught to all U.S. students. Reviews the expansion of the song list and its contribution to a common repertoire for U.S. community sings. (GG)