Explores the meaning of study abroad through personal anecdotes and reflections on a lifetime of contact with foreign cultures. Focuses on the fruits of cross cultural contact by examining such themes as identity, home, personal transformation, and the "necessary accomplishment" of study abroad. (Author/VWL)

Provides a list of practical information relevant for study abroad program administrators with their World Wide Web site linkages. (VWL)

Presents an activity for students to construct their own two-cup balances. Suggests some alternatives for rejuvenating weak bar magnets. Describes how to remove burnt carbon deposits from glass vessels. (NB)

Discusses a research project that examined the effectiveness of using fiction to help children learn science concepts. Results indicate that some fiction may impede content acquisition in science. Concludes that emphasis on using children's literature to teach science should be placed on choosing fiction presented without bias with fine, realistic…

Suggests using science trade books to help children make personal connections to science content. Integrating such literature into the science curriculum in an appropriate manner can help students make a direct connection with science. Presents a list of books with a multicultural emphasis that can be used as a springboard for science activities.…

Lists outstanding science trade books for children for 1995. (NB)

Lists outstanding science trade books for children written in Spanish for the year 1995. (NB)

Describes a unit on the study of ladybugs. Suggests that most people, especially children, consider ladybugs to be friendly and therefore are eager to observe and learn more about them. Presents activities, lists interesting ladybug facts, and makes recommendations for interdisciplinary learning. (NB)

Describes an interdisciplinary unit for upper elementary students that integrates science, geography, history, and mathematics in the study of spoons. Students determine the volume of each spoon by submerging it in a graduated cylinder of water and measuring the difference in water levels before and after submersion. Shows students that scientific…

Presents different methods for teaching animal classification to young children. Discusses modeling, observation, and the use of Venn diagrams among other approaches. (NB)

Presents an integrated science and social studies unit for fourth and fifth grade students. Describes how to transform the schoolyard and vicinity into an arena in which students can explore community history and learn about local environment and ecosystem management. (NB)

Describes the "I Wonder" project, which uses student questions to teach and enhance the science curriculum. Students kept journals to reflect upon classroom activities and document solutions to science and mathematics problems, and came up with the topics they wanted to investigate in the form of a question beginning with "I wonder". Includes…

Modifies the "What's in a Bag?" activity to effectively and engagingly demonstrate the nature of science. Describes each step of the activity and lists necessary materials. Shows students that, like scientists, their scientific models change as more data are gathered and incorporated into what is already known. (NB)

Presents a unit to investigate lemons and experience the real taste of a lemon that includes simple, enjoyable, and inexpensive activities that develop students' observation, prediction, measurement, and inference skills. Students also developed creative arts projects, explored mathematical concepts, and wrote stories about fruit. (NB)

Explores acids and bases using different indicators, such as turmeric, purple grape juice, and lichens. Because some of these indicators are not as sensitive as cabbage juice or litmus paper, determining to which acids and bases each indicator is sensitive presents an enjoyable, problem-solving challenge for students. Presents directions for…