Activities to help children develop the concept of right-left awareness are presented. Activities touch on lateral awareness (distinguishing between their right and left sides and labeling them) and directionality (using the language of left and right according to someone else's orientation). (CL)

The following aspects of left-handedness are discussed: etiology and associated learning and developmental disorders; right-brain dominance and how to detect it; adaptations to the physical learning environment; behavior patterns; and teaching techniques. (JW)

Middle and secondary school students who continue to display reversal problems despite intervention should be taught to compensate. Compensation can be based on the student's common error problems. (CL)

Two experiments designed to assess brain hemispheric specialization of function are described. The first experiment involves tactile letter and number identification; the second one, verbal interference with a manual task. The experiments provide an excellent introduction to research methodology for undergraduate students. (Author/RM)

This paper examines the influence of Norman Geschwind's model of connectionism, in which complex functions are built up by connecting primary areas in the brain, and notes his studies of the effects of disconnection on dyslexic individuals. Connectionist-based behavioral studies are reviewed, focusing on intracortical association connections and…

What does all the recent and much talked about right brain, left brain research mean to you? Authors conduct a symposium in print in which they discuss the research and its findings, and offer ways to use them in your class. (Editor/RK)

To increase teachers' sensitivity to their students' learning styles, this paper points out some behavioral characteristics displayed by many right-hemispheric children. Additionally, the distinction between children who are either "part perceivers" or "whole perceivers" is explained. Functions of brain parts as well as several remedial,…

This paper explores how Georgi Lozanov's Suggestopedia incorporates elements of modern right-brain research. For example, issues in Linda VerLee Williams's "Teaching for the Two-Sided Mind" that are applicable to Suggestopedia include visual thinking, fantasy, multisensory learning, music, and direct experience. In Robert Ornstein's "The…

Research supports the premise that various mathematical topics can be categorized as being performed better by the left or right brain hemisphere. This study examined the effect of left and right brain hemispheric lateralization exercises upon course grades in two sections of Analysis I (beginning calculus for mathematics/science majors) at a…

The unit provides information on the study of the human brain for students in grades 5-9 with suggestions for extending the lessons for gifted and talented students. Learning activities are offered for ten lessons (sample subtopics in parentheses); introduction to the unit (student pretest and posttest); brain growth; medulla-oblongata-reptilian…

Research supports the premise that various mathematical topics can be categorized as being performed better by the left or right brain hemisphere. Hemispheric lateralization is defined as a learner's preferred hemisphere of control. Torrence's "Human Information Processing Survey" was given to 170 black female college students enrolled in…

Offers case studies of "problem" students who have been motivated to learn through their interest in and talent for artistic expression. Suggests ways teachers can channel students' interests in productive ways; e.g., Individual Idea Logs (to record fantasies, doodles, inventions) and five-minute drawing breaks. (DMM)

Described is a study which was developed to find the proportion of cross-dominance in young adults. Procedures and statistical tests are discussed. The tasks used in the assessment of cross-dominance are described. Results indicated that all persons suffered from some cross-dominance. (CW)

Nonverbal communication in the classroom can produce subtle nonverbal influences, particularly in the affective domain. In Suggestopedia, double-planeness (the role of the environment and the personality of the teacher) is considered an important factor in learning. Suggestopedic teachers are trained to use nonverbal gestures in their presentation…

A review of research was conducted on the possibility of a sensitive period for the acquisition of native-like pronunciation in a second language, as well as on related questions concerning the universality of this phenomenon, age factors, biological versus cultural origins, and developmental psychology. The review showed variation in studies and…