A Study on the characteristics of the contents and methods of thematic learning in American secondary education

本研究的目的是分析美国中等教育主题学习的内容和方法的基本特点，作为日本中等教育主题学习理论建设的基础性工作。本文首先考察了主题学习在日本和美国中学学科中的地位，以及主题学习理论。主题学习要有增强学生学习动机的效果。主题学习的主导学习活动是探究过程，一个是“引导式探究”，另一个是“开放式探究”。探究过程是保证专题学习高质量的重要因素。其次，分析了美国中等教育历史课程中的主题学习。从案例中也可以确认主题学习的主导学习活动是探究性的过程。在主题学习中提高高层次思维和表达能力（历史素养）。第三，我考察了美国中学数学课程中的主题学习。由于出版社修订工作的滞后，目前研究中必要的教材资料正在对出版社的修订工作进行分析。虽然分析还没有完美地结束，但研究仍在稳步进行。并对美国中等教育历史课程教材中的主题学习进行了分析。结果是要建立7-10个主题，而且不倾向于政治和经济，文化，传统，技术等都要在平衡中建立。三年的研究成果汇总在研究成果报告中，并向公众介绍。

The purpose of this research is to analyse the fundamental characteristics of the contents and the methods of thematic learning in the American secondary education as a fundamental work to do theory building of thematic learning for Japanese secondary schools.First I examine the position of thematic learning in the Japanese and American secondary school subjects, and theory of thematic learning.1.Thematic learning is to have the effect which enhances student's motivation.2.The leading learning activities of thematic learning are inquiry processes, one is "guided inquiry",the other is "open inquiry".3.Inquiry process should be the important element that highly quality of thematic learning is guaranteed.Second I analysis thematic learning in the American secondary education history course.1.It can confirm that the leading learning activities of thematic learning are inquiry processes from the case as well.2.Raise the higher order thinking and your expression (historical literacy) in thematic learning.Third I examine thematic learning in the American secondary education mathematical course. Because of the delay for the revised work of the publishing company, textbooks in the necessary materials in research are analyzing it at present for the revised work of the publishing company. Research proceeds steadily though an analysis hasn't ended in perfectly yet.And I analysis thematic learning in the textbook of the American secondary education history course. Result is that 7-10 thematics are to be established, and moreover don't lean to the politics and economics, and culture, tradition, technology, and so on are to be established in the balance well.A research result for three years is put together in the research result report, and introduced to the public.