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One of the goals of UNESCO is to act as a clearinghouse on information about early childhood education activities in order to promote the development of young children. Noting that many children become frustrated with adults when they try to explain their feelings, this monograph of the UNESCO Education Sector introduces the "Alpha-Soruses" program, designed to teach young children about communication, emotional development, and the alphabet. The Alpha-Soruses is a group of dinosaurs, in the shape of the 26 letters of the English alphabet, that reflect various personalities. The program provides a communication bridge creating a way for children to express emotional reactions and opinions to adults. The monograph describes the development of the underlying concepts and research and development of the program. Also described are ways the program can be used to teach the alphabet, teach phonics, develop motor and artistic skills, build emotional security, use a nonviolent subject matter, promote self-esteem, teach teamwork, work with and accept persons with disabilities, present no gender inequalities, and build problem-solving skills. The monograph presents excerpts from three books comprising the program and describes their use with children of various ages. The three: (1) "Meet the Alpha-Soruses," a coloring book with stickers introducing the dinosaur characters through rhyme; (2) "The Alpha-Soruses in the Journey," containing stories showing children that it is good to help those in need; and (3) "Where Did the Alphabet Come From?," using the Alpha-Soruses' phonetic pronunciation and presenting a story about how the first words were formed by human beings. (KB)

Suggesting that students in the primary grades can explore the world around them and practice valuable skills in spelling, reading, writing, communication, and language, this book presents cross-curricular units on intriguing animals that reach diverse needs by working through emotional memory, deductive reasoning, and multiple intelligences. Features of the book include: ready-to-use activities; sample reading texts; group demonstrations; and classroom-tested teaching suggestions. Each unit includes an introductory narrative, advice on using the theme, related language arts and extension activities, a list of trade books, and class activities. The first unit, "Dino of Land-Long-Ago," builds on the notion that dinosaurs fascinate children of all ages. The second unit, "The Animal that Builds Its Own Environment," helps children learn about beavers. Appendixes contain advice on setting up and running a learning center; advice on how to make and use bulletin boards and file folders; a 47-item glossary; instructions on how to make a book; and 10 teacher resources. (RS)

This lesson plan for the second and third grades uses information on dinosaurs, their adaptations and survival, to provide science education for limited-English-proficient (LEP) students in San Diego, California. The primary text is "Los Dinosaurios Gigantes," a core literature book used in the school district. Lessons are based on the whole language philosophy and cooperative grouping strategies, exploring language arts/science, mathematics, social studies, and English language development. Hands-on activities and opportunities are highly recommended. The lesson unit is for one week, 25-30 minutes per day. Language levels include pre- and early production, speech emergence, and intermediate fluency. Instructional components are second language development, primary language instruction, specially designed academic instruction in the second language, cross-cultural/self-esteem building, and parent/community involvement. Instructional objectives, unit goals, homework, and assessment are described. Appendixes contain English and Spanish handouts. (Contains 7 references.) (NAV)

This sourcebook prepares students for a visit to the "Prehistoric Journey" exhibit at the Denver Museum of Natural History. The exhibit opened October 23, 1995, and offered a dramatic exploration of 3.5 billion years of life on Earth. Dioramas and "enviroramas" depict seven critical points in life's history. In addition to the chronological presentation of life eras, the sourcebook presents activities, synopses of exhibits and tours, additional teacher resources, and suggestions for planning a visit to the museum. Articles and student handouts are included. (EH)

This coal education resource kit for grades K-2 was developed by the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources (ENR). The kit contains activities designed to help students become familiar with the origin of coal and the process involved in its development, become familiar with safety equipment used by coal miners and understand why the equipment is needed, be able to verbally list some uses of Illinois coal and state why it is important, understand the two types of mining used by Illinois coal miners to extract coal from the ground, and become familiar with basic vocabulary words. The activities are divided into five sections: (1) origin of coal; (2) uses of coal; (3) mining; (4) mining and safety; and (5) additional activities. The teacher is provided with instructions for using the kit and background information. Each of the first four activity sections begins with a teacher narrative. Dinosaurs are also a part of many of the activities. (PVD)

This paper discusses four thematic units that teachers can use with preschool and primary grades, along with examples of activities that can be integrated into each unit. The units include "Land of Many Colors," based upon a book of the same name that tells the story of gingerbread-shaped characters who learn to accept each other even though they are different colors. The next unit, "Seasons," is developed around a collection of children's literature that focuses on seasonal themes. The third unit, "Habitats," focuses on animal habitats and children's books that explore the issue. "Dinosaurs," the fourth unit, uses books on dinosaurs and various activities to explore the world of dinosaurs. Specific science, math, social studies, and art activities for each unit are presented. (Contains 29 references.) (MDM)

This lesson resource focuses on the interdisciplinary study of dinosaurs and provides insight into the work of paleontologists. The plan includes lesson goals and objectives; background preparation; a glossary of terms; a list of supplies; optional supplies; and instructions and suggestions for lesson implementation. Supplies needed include a commercially available low fire clay and a kiln. Follow-up ideas encourage lesson extension. (MM)

An understanding of the environment and peoples' role in its preservation and destruction must be acquired in order to circumvent the current threat of environmental deterioration. This document provides lessons developed to help students and others reconnect with the natural systems which sustain life. The following activities are provided for studying the life cycle of a variety of objects: (1) "Rita Rubberband Returns to the Rain Forest"; (2) "A Long Way to Lunch" (school lunch); (3) Chipping Away at the Forests" (paper); (4) "To Flush or not to Flush, That is the Question"; (5) "How to Dress a Dinosaur: From Oil, to Yogurt, To...?" (yogurt container); (6) "Zap! Goes the Ozone!"; (7) "Battery Bugaboo Boogie"; (8) "A T-Shirt Talks"; (9) "It's Not Really Horsepower Anymore -or- There's a Dinosaur Driving Down the Street" (gasoline); and (10) "A Juicy Case: Aseptic Packaging v. the Environmentalists." Activities typically take from 2-3 30-45 minute class periods. The following information is provided for each activity: subjects addressed (e.g., social studies, science, art, math, etc.); appropriate grade level (most are for intermediate grades); academic skills used (e.g., classification, critical thinking, psychomotor, etc.); time required to complete; materials needed; vocabulary; concepts; activity objective; and background information for the teacher. (ZWH)

The theme of the 1991 Virginia Summer Reading Program combined a fascination with the world of prehistoric creatures with the excitement of discovery. The summer program offers the library an opportunity to showcase its services for the entire community and demonstrates the contribution the library makes to the development of lifelong learning. This guide contains posters, reading logs, stickers, certificates, and manuals in support of the summer reading program. Each library sets its own registration policies and rules for the program. It is anticipated that this program will appeal to children aged 3 to 12 years, although many libraries have seen, in recent years, an increase in the number of participants aged 12 to 14 years. Program features such as reading logs, incentives, and certificates are presented, with multiple illustrations that can be copied. Bibliographies include 67 books for young readers, 21 books for young adults, and 4 books for librarians; and 16 resource organizations. (SLD)

Describes an interactive internet exercise that enables students to engage in cooperative library and web research on a controversial topic in science, specifically the cloning of extinct lifeforms. Creates a dynamic learning environment in a large introductory geology course and demonstrates the importance of scientific literacy. (Author/SAH)

Points out the importance of the ability to apply knowledge in a problem-solving manner to real-life situations for biology students rather than possessing an exhaustive accumulation of facts. Describes a teaching approach that employs three-dimensional animal models to teach the student how to use deductive reasoning and critical analysis to discover functional correlates of structure. (Author/YDS)

Introduces the Geographic Information System (GIS) and its applications in interdisciplinary teaching approaches. Specifically focuses on natural resource management. Explains the data collection process of GIS and areas in which this technology is used. Makes recommendations for the classroom use of GIS. (YDS)

Adapts three high-interest activities using biogenic and physical traces in the re-creation of past events that were created to help develop student understanding of the process of science without sacrificing substantive geoscience content. Presents adaptations of human footprints, dinosaur tracks, and sliding rock trails investigations. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes the history of the study of dinosaurs and current topics of research in the field. Contains 18 references. (WRM)

Describes an activity in which students construct relationships between their leg lengths, stride lengths, and movements in order to estimate the speeds of the dinosaurs that made various fossilized tracks. (WRM)

One of the basic principles of the Language Development Approach is that students must learn the language necessary to understand, talk, and write about all subject areas in order to succeed in school. This book contains information about teaching primary school science in the Northwest Territories with lessons that emphasize language. The goals of the unit are to (1) develop student language proficiency; (2) provide opportunities for students to use language in many different situations and for many different purposes; (3) develop student listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking skills including the science process skills; and (4) expand student knowledge of the science concepts related to dinosaurs. Following a section on resources (background information on dinosaurs--general and descriptions, resources included with this unit--worksheets and games, and related English materials--magazines, an extensive list of children's books on dinosaurs, teacher's resources, films, etc., and a list of models, posters, puzzles, etc., lesson plans on six topics (where were dinosaurs, types, habitat, food, adapatations of dinosaurs, and the end of dinosaurs) are presented. Activity ideas for science/social studies, mathematics, language arts, music/poems/stories, art, physical education/movement, and special activities are suggested. Each lesson plan contains the following segments--exercises or activities: English vocabulary, English sentence patterns, English language concepts, special materials required, concept development/language exposure, language practice, and application. Poems, songs, and stories on this subject conclude the guide. The lessons are appropriate for students whose first language is English as well as for students who are learning English as a second language. (PR/CW)

Outlines the development and implementation of a project in which students work in groups of two or three to research, design, and build a display about a geologic time period or a topic related to the history of life on Earth. (DDR)

Presents a lesson plan that uses a constructivist approach for developing and challenging students' different thinking strengths. In the context of musical and bodily-kinesthetic thinking, elementary school students interpret the sounds and movements the dinosaurs made as they negotiated their primitive environments. (CR)

Describes how teaching a lesson on the discovery of a crater in the Yucatan Peninsula and the rock strata deep in the ocean can help students explain the demise of dinosaurs. Discusses the impact theory and the core model. (DDR)

Virtual field trips can provide experiences beyond the reach of average K-12 students. Describes multimedia products for school use: Africa Trail, Dinosaur Hunter, Louvre Museum, Magic School Bus Explores the Rainforest, and Up to the Himalayas: Kingdoms in the Clouds and provides book and Internet connections for additional learning, highlighting the Library of Congress. (PEN)

Presents information on the bone wars of the frontier West, the smartest dinosaur, current topics in paleontology research, and how to bring a study of fossils to life with hands-on activities. (DDR)

Presents an activity with the objective that students apply and integrate what they learn about classification, food webs, and paleontology to the creation of a scientifically sound ecosystem. Students read and discuss literature selections during the unit. (DDR)

Presents an exercise in which cutouts or outlines of dinosaur footprints placed independently or in sets on the floor and laboratory benches are used to model dinosaur trackways. The nature, size, speed, and specific behavior of the trackmaker are determined from the trackways and from student-derived data as well as from diagrams and models based on skeletal material. (Author/PVD)

The activities presented in this book, designed to help 4th through 8th grade instructors teach about the history of life, help students prepare for a visit to a museum exhibit on life through time. The pre- and post-visit activities as well as the in-museum activities help students prepare for and enjoy their 4.5 billion year trip through time at The Field Museum in Chicago. Activities pertain to words from the past, developing a timeline, comparative anatomy, developing a museum visit journal, prehistoric bone structure, and prehistoric motion. Reading lists for both teachers and students are also included. (DDR)

Using a dinosaur unit as an example throughout the chapters, this book presents an organizational plan for developing a thematic unit for literature-based instruction for grades K-6. The book is designed as a resource for preservice and inservice teachers new to literature-based instruction. The book shows how a content topic can be used as a theme and infused with a literacy curriculum and provides ideas for integrating social studies, natural sciences, and other curriculum areas. The book also offers approaches for assessing and evaluating student progress. Chapters in the book are: (1) How May I Plan a Thematic Unit?; (2) How May I Infuse a Literacy Curriculum in a Literature-Based Classroom?; (3) What Literature Base Is Available for My Thematic Unit?; (4) What Teaching Techniques and Class Organizational Plans Are There?; (5) How May I Integrate Social Studies and Expressive Arts?; (6) How May I Integrate Mathematics and Science?; (7) What Resources Are Available to Me?; (8) How Can I Meet the Needs of Diverse Students; (9) How May I Assess and Evaluate?; and (10) What Research Supports Literature-Based Instruction. Guidelines for substitute teaching, a checklist for reviewing this book, a 178-item annotated list of dinosaur books, and 26 reproducibles to support the dinosaur unit are attached. (RS)

This booklet stresses the value of various academic studies (e.g., history, geology, anatomy, physical anthropology) as prerequisites for a career in paleontology, by depicting real women whose careers provide inspirational role models. The first section is a text designed for use by elementary students and presents the career of paleontology from a woman's point of view. Both female and male students are encouraged to view paleontology as a potential career choice. The second section provides the teacher with four lesson plans for classroom use. The lesson plans are aimed at examining: (1) the variety of environments that dinosaurs lived in and how we know about them; (2) features of dinosaur anatomy; (3) what fossils are and how they came to be; and (4) the size of dinosaurs. Each lesson format includes a purpose or objective, materials, procedures, and conclusions. (MM)

Describes amber and its hardened form called copal. Explains how amber is formed and where it comes from. Discusses possibilities of obtaining DNA from insects caught in amber. (PR)

Describes several student-tested activities built around "Jurassic Park." The activities feature students engaged in role-playing scenarios, investigative research projects, journal writing and communications skills activities, cooperative learning groups, and learning experiences that make use of reading skills and mathematical knowledge. (PR)

Describes using the movie "Jurassic Park" as a foundation for a middle school interdisciplinary unit involving science, math, language arts, history, and geography. Suggested books and activities are presented. (PR)

Describes interdisciplinary activities for teaching students accurate information about dinosaurs. A list of 20 resources is provided. (PR)

Presents an activity that allows students to experience the type of discovery process that paleontologists necessarily followed during the early dinosaur explorations. Students are read parts of a story taken from the "American Journal of Science" and interpret the evidence leading to the discovery of Triceratops and Stegosaurus. (PR)

This book consists of two complete units on paleontology, dinosaurs, and fossils. The first unit is created for lower elementary students and the second one is for upper elementary grade levels. The units are designed for gifted students and encourage students to be responsible for their own education. Each unit is based on an interdisciplinary approach. Suggestions for adaptation of the units are also included. (YDS)

This teaching guide contains 200 activities that are suitable for openers and demonstrations in biology classes. Details are provided regarding the use of these activities. Some of the broad topics under which the activities are organized include algae, amphibians, bacteria, biologists, crustaceans, dinosaurs, ecology, evolution, flowering plants, genetics, insects, mammals, plant life, reptiles, sharks, and virus. (DDR)