Definitions of biosphere and ecosystem are provided as the basis for understanding a problem that threatens to become (or already is) a global issue, namely, human activity which results in reducing the diversity of life forms present in the biosphere as an ecosystem. Two aspects of this problem are: (1) the growth of human populations worldwide…

This book is designed to help educators find curricula, multimedia resources, and other educational materials that can enhance the teaching of environmental education in a variety of settings. Curriculum materials included in this compendium were evaluated using a set of guidelines developed by the North American Association for Environmental…

Fourth-grade students (83% of whom were identified as "at risk") in an inner-city school in the southeastern United States participated in a hands-on, interdisciplinary unit about the environment for 2 weeks. Lessons covered a wide range of environmental issues such as pollution, rainforest devastation, recycling, and Earth appreciation.…

Staff and graduate students from the University of Wisconsin conducted a 3-week workshop in environmental studies at Lac Courte Oreilles Community College for adolescent Native American students. Eleven girls and nine boys, aged 12-17, from six tribes enrolled in the program. Nineteen completed all 3 weeks. The curriculum covered such topics as…

This issue of ENC Focus highlights laserdiscs and CD-ROMs that encourage students to raise searching questions, enter debates, formulate opinions, and engage in problem solving and critical thinking. The laserdiscs and CD-ROMs were chosen based on the criteria of instructional design, content, and interest. Items featured include: The Chemistry…

Many are aware that to secure a safe Earth for future generations means that people must know more about the Earth, its inhabitants, and the role that each plays in sustaining life on Earth. This lack of knowledge today has led to decisions such as the destruction of the rainforest, the growing and inefficient use of fossil fuels, and until…

This book holds that the evolution of the mind has given rise to great diversity of language and culture, each going along with a distinct adaptation to life specific ecosystems or geographical areas. Much like the wealth of plant and animal species is essential to biodiversity and ecological balance, diversity in the world's languages is vital to…

The social studies program seeks to highlight and interpret basic ideas and understandings drawn from anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and sociology as to the organization of communities. It places paramount importance on the building of attitudes which support the American way of life, and the development of…

This book offers practical applications for exploring multiple intelligences in the classroom to help each student express his or her own personal learning rainbow. Special features of the book include seven complete lesson plans ready to be adapted to any grade level; objectives, activities, and applications that meet U.S. and California…

The use of networked technology for the explicit purpose of integrating school curricula often carries the implicit aim of introducing students to the concept of globalization. As a result, the conscientious educator confronts a number of troublesome, ethical questions while serving as an agent for integration. For example, is it possible to…

In order to test the hypothesis which states "the economic values of traditional tribal cultures are essentially the same", seven culturally and geographically diversified Native American tribes were investigated via library research. The tribes studied were: Mohawk and/or Iroquois (microthermal climate); Maricopa (tropical desert environment);…

This study gathered information on the extent to which children participate in the mature routines of their community, and the extent to which elders participate in child-centered activities. Subjects were children ranging in age from 30 to 45 months from the four societies of: (1) Mayan Indians living in a rural Guatemalan town; (2) the Efe…

This document examines the current difficult situation in Peru in light of its historical past. It gives students the opportunity to relate to the problems that the majority of Peruvians are facing and to see how Peru's people are working together for solutions. The text deals with contemporary issues such as the greenhouse effect, the loss of the…

Art education combined with the sciences can be a leading force in raising the consciousness of students and teachers to the needs of our fragile planet. By teaching environmental aspects to the visual arts curriculum, we will also be teaching that one of the similarities we all share is the need for beauty. The sciences have traditionally carried…

Plants can survive in even the harshest of environments, from the freezing Arctic to the arid desert. In All About Plant Adaptation, join young plant lovers as they uncover some of the amazing ways that plants have adapted over millions of years enabling them to survive almost anywhere on Earth. Discover how some plants living in cold, arctic…