The Greensboro Area Mathematics and Science Education Center and the Center for School Accountability and Staff Development sponsored a conference in May, 1998 which focused on the similarities and differences in teaching and learning in mathematics and science compared to learning in other content areas. This document contains the background papers from that conference. Chapters include: (1) "Foreign/Second Language Learning" (Janis L. Antonek); (2) "Teaching and Learning in Social Studies" (Ceola Ross Baber); (3) "Helping Students Learn Mathematics through Careful Sequencing of Problems and Questioning of Students' Thinking" (George W. Bright); (4) "Learning Technology and Other Things" (Christopher I. Cobitz); (5) "English Studies" (Brenda Cox); (6) "Incorporating Music in an Integrated Curriculum for Teacher Preparation" (Charlesetta M. Dawson); (7) "Learning To Do Science: Are Science Fairs the Key to Success?" (Catherine E. Matthews); (8) "Learning About--and From--Learning in the Social Studies" (Gerald Ponder); (9) "Development of an Elementary Social Studies Methods Course" (Tracy Rock); (10) "Integrative Instruction: Success and Frustration in Teaching against the Grain" (David Strahan); (11) "Teaching and Learning Mathematics" (Cecilia M. Toole); and (12) "Reading Instruction for Children in Elementary Schools" (Priscilla G. Wood). (ASK)