The Mountain West and the World [microform] : International Connections and Alternative Futures. A Handbook of 15 Activities for Secondary Classrooms / Gary R. Smith and Eric M. Bienstock

Activities to supplement secondary school global or future studies courses in the 10 state Mountain West region are presented in this teacher handbook. Material is divided into 3 sections. Section 1, an introduction to international connectedness, contains 7 activities focusing on the Mountain West's interdependence with the rest of the world. A variety of strategies such as role plays, surveys on local food and energy sources, and data interpretations enable students to experience and discuss interdependence. For each activity, objectives, necessary class time, materials and procedure are outlined. Section 2 contains 8 activities created by the Cognitive Research Trust thinking program to develop students' thinking and problem-solving skills. The activities provide training in the following skills: evaluating ideas and options; considering all factors; exploring consequences and sequels of a decision; considering aims, goals, and objectives of an action; setting priorities; and identifying alternatives, possibilities, and choices in problem solving. An introduction outlining the objectives, format, materials, allocated time, procedure, and follow-up common to all the activities in this section is followed by separate readings describing each activity. Section 3 consists of student handouts which support the activities described in Sections 1 and 2. The handbook concludes with a form for evaluating and commenting on activities. (LP)