Considers the effects on the family of the principles of individualism and capitalism that permeate Western culture. Finds Western culture creating autonomous, self-reliant, competitive, and consumer-oriented individuals, who create families that are chaotic, tenuous, and non-relational in their mode of operation. Discusses the educator's role in…

Children who are consistently ignored or disliked, especially those who make no friends at all, often have trouble succeeding in school. This article illustrates the scenario of a child who is just learning to play with others, but continues to face rejection from her classmates. The author provides tips for both teachers and parents that can…

A more effective partnership for the advocacy of integrated educational options can be formed when parents and professionals work in concert. Eleven strategies for securing integrated options are offered, including working with the media, working within other advocacy organizations, influencing others in the school system, and consulting with…

Noting that educators need to capture the interest of primary students early on to make lifelong writers out of them, this paper discusses ways to encourage the writing process in the primary grades. The paper discusses the philosophy of the writing process, what experts say about writing, setting up the environment, writing with lower primary…

The essays in this monograph are intended to give visibility to the nature and nobility of teaching. The volume is a reflective celebration and an elevation of the call to teaching. Chapter titles include: "Acts of Teaching"; "A Good Question"; "A Good School"; "Lessons for Learners"; "A Need to…

Any consideration of basic skills must at some point achieve the realization that a fundamental skill is the ability of the mind to create, produce, and utilize meaning. The purpose of productive and creative thinking is to know and understand, to produce and utilize meaning that serves to guide and direct mental and physical behavior. The overall…

In implementing behavior management, which allows children the freedom to make their own choices and then rewards them for making good choices, many parents and teachers have forgotten to limit children to choices that are theirs to make, and therefore fail to teach children the skills they need to become responsible, cooperative, and productive.…

"Looping" is a practice that allows single-grade teachers to remain with the same class for 2 or more years. Organized in a question-and-answer format, this book answers 72 questions about looping commonly asked by teachers and parents, including questions about its benefits, disadvantages, and implementation. Chapters include: (1) "What Is…

To ensure quality programs in gifted education, parents, teachers, and concerned citizens should become involved in development of education policies. Influencing public policy involves determining which government structure has jurisdiction over the policy and lobbying for legislative action by attending public hearings, writing letters, working…

Aided by a 21-member Elementary Education Study Group, the Secretary of Education has prepared the first comprehensive report on elementary education in the United States in more than three decades. The report finds America's elementary schools in pretty good shape, and states that they do their job especially well in the early grades, only…

This review of research on motivation and self-perception in gifted students looks at the interaction of motivation with self-perception; effective practices in classrooms and homes for developing children's potential, motivation, and self-esteem; and implications for teachers and parents of gifted and talented children. (DB)

The items in this book were drawn from a symposium intended to (1) recommend priorities in national educational policy relating to reading; (2) focus attention on the essential role of an active two-way, family-school partnership in encouraging reading as a lifetime habit; and (3) help various organizations concerned with literacy and reading…

The four essays in this collection provide guidelines for parents and teachers in educating children. The first essay, "Parents, the Pupil, and the School Curriculum," describes selected ways parents may help pupils to achieve in the school curriculum. "Objectives of the School, the Pupil, and Parents" discusses the need for teachers to plan…

Providing suggestions for parents and teachers, this anecdotal collection of an early childhood educator's experiences and insights emphasizes the importance of developing the decision-making capabilities of young children. Fundamentally, the discussion asserts that one of the major responsibilities of adults is to give children freedom to learn…