In recent decades, research and practice have shown that investing in a positive school-wide social culture is a key component of effective education. Evidence demonstrates that educators and students succeed when students are present, engaged, socially secure, and academically successful. Developed by 2M Research in conjunction with an expert…

This article presents a case study of a five-year English-literacy project carried out in primary and middle schools in the Pacific island nation of Tonga from 2012 to 2017. It summarizes why and how the project was begun; the activities carried out by Peace Corps Volunteers and Tongan partners; its objectives; and the products, procedures, and…

Whole-school or whole-class programs designed to promote positive behavior can enhance the likelihood that effective teaching and learning occur for all students. This practice guide is intended to help elementary education educators, as well as school and district administrators and parents, implement and support effective prevention-focused…

Few alcohol prevention programs focus on elementary school-aged youth, yet children develop expectancies and norms about alcohol use during the elementary school years, and many elementary school children are allowed to have sips or tastes of alcohol at home. Research on consequences of early alcohol use indicates that it can put children at…

Parents in 16 families of children with autism spectrum disorders or Down syndrome participated in a qualitative study examining family (i.e., all caregivers in the home) belief systems. All families had children who had recently entered elementary school or who were in the early years of high school. As a result of their experiences, families…

Tess is a joyful eight-year old girl with epilepsy, frontal lobe dysfunction, and dyspraxia, as well as delays in language, fine motor, and gross motor skills. However, despite her disabilities, Tess happily embraces life. With assistance from a few support professionals, Tess currently functions successfully in a regular education second grade…

This book aims to prepare children in the event they become lost in the outdoors. An opening story, designed to capture children's attention, outlines safety protocols. These protocols are: (1) keep yourself warm, particularly your head; (2) stay in one place, preferably an open space, so searchers can find you; (3) make a bed of branches or other…

This guide is organized around a suggested list of physical education skills that all students should know and be able to do at each grade level from kindergarten through grade 6. The guide will help provide parents, teachers, and students with knowledge of what is being taught in a logical scope and sequence by grade level. It is designed to help…

Written as a resource for teachers, parents and poets working with young children, this publication offers advice about providing experiences with poetry to young children. Material focuses on the "frolicsome use of language,""snap-shot poetry experiences," and classroom poetry centers. Seven references are cited, and a bibliography provides 10…

The Clarkstown Tutoring Service, a student peer-tutoring program in the Clarkstown (a middle to upper-middle suburban community), New York, school district received hundreds of tutees in grades 7 through 12 but very few in grades 1 through 6. A plan was devised to double the number of public elementary students tutored from 33 to 66 by June 25,…

Using information from seven model programs that provide foreign language instruction to elementary and middle school students, this publication addresses common questions from administrators, educators, and parents who are considering establishing early foreign language programs in their communities. Questions examine the following issues:…

The most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children at home and in the classroom. At school, reading aloud is important for starting the day, presenting reading and writing mini-lessons, supporting social studies and science curricula, supporting whole-class book studies, and…

This book offers information and ideas to support teachers, parents and other caregivers in their efforts to help children accept and like their bodies. It includes specific tips on dealing with body image issues and suggestions for role modeling healthy attitudes about body size. It also offers suggestions for healthy eating, increasing physical…

Noting that every year, 10 to 12 million children contract head lice, this book aims to demystify and provide information about the problem of head lice infestation of children. The first chapter gives statistical details about the problem and its effects on health. Chapter 2 provides factual information concerning the features, life-cycle,…

This guide discusses bringing the skills of peacemaking to life for children. It focuses on four major components: accepting self and others; communicating effectively; resolving conflicts; and understanding intercultural differences. Peacemaking skills are presented in three stages with each stage integrating lessons in these four concept areas.…