The project included a temporary exhibition and the development of curriculum materials for middle and high school teachers and students.
Many scientists and educators recognize that most curriculum materials for teaching about evolution do not help students address their prior conceptions.
This time public opprobrium was directed at Gleick for his subterfuge, but given the documents revealed some of Heartland's funding sources, as well as its plans to develop misleading climate curriculum materials for public schools, the story provided an opening for reporters to take a closer look at the group.
It was implemented in schools that were already using the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) Programme (Department for Education and Skills, 2005) – a programme comprising professional development materials for teachers, curriculum materials for each grade, a whole school component involving policy presentations and posters and home-school activities.
There is an abundance of curriculum materials available for teaching and learning biological evolution (NRC 1996, 2007), and yet a significant percentage of the public continues to reject the validity of the theory (Gallup 2008).
"Teachers in junior high schools were basically allowed to use the curriculum material they had been using for the last several years, material that they feel competent using and that they feel works for kids," she said.
This suggests significant knowledge retention of the curriculum material.
Now tell me that Pearson's power to directly draw from its curriculum for material for its high-stakes tests is not incentive for desperate states and districts to surrender their so-called "curricular freedom" to PARCC-vending Pearson.
Parents who school their children at home have always needed good curriculum materials and ideas for projects to advance the education of their children.
The campaign includes an exhibit, with a cellphone audio guide, which will travel to 20 cities; public screenings nationwide; high school curriculum materials and training for 650 teachers; and an extensive Web site with 12 other short films by Mr. Nelson.
