The Learning Record is a framework teachers can use to translate their observations of students into a disciplined, systematic, standards-based reporting process. This guide offers all the information necessary to use the Learning Record in elementary school. The chapters are: (1) "Documenting Prior Experience"; (2) "Documenting Student Learning";…

This book provides an overview of the rationale for and strengths and limitations of the use of performance tasks to assess student progress in mathematics. It also offers a field-tested process for developing performance tasks and rubrics, along with practical advice for evaluating student work and 20 sample tasks. The chapters are: (1)…

This book is a comprehensive guidebook that shows K-6 teachers how to structure the first 6 weeks of school in order to lay the groundwork for a productive year of learning. The book features: (1) daily plans for the first 3 weeks and commentary about these plans at three grade levels: primary (K-2), middle (3-4), and upper (5-6); (2) detailed…

This book offers ideas to help teachers balance their literacy curriculum. It includes a flexible lesson plan format, literacy-based ideas, authors' birthday calendars, a special events calendar, a comprehensive theme-based book list, a teacher's view of assessment, charts and reproducibles, and pocket-pouch folders for storing loose papers and…

A comprehensive mathematics preparation component for the elementary school teacher education program at Oregon State University is described. Recommendations influencing the program are listed and the curriculum is described. (MNS)

Twenty-eight elementary education teachers were asked to classify competencies and skills for dealing with behavior problems into three categories: those not addressed in their training program, those addressed minimally, and those addressed adequately. (SBH)

The elementary science teacher is encouraged to present students with exciting and satisfying learning experiences in order to develop positive attitudes towards science. (CS)

Describes the mental process that teachers engage in while making preactive planning decisions, and presents a general-process model of teacher planning consisting of three stages: (1) problem finding, (2) problem formulation/solution (design), and (3) implementation, evaluation, and routinization. (MP)

Describes how one urban elementary school turned itself around to become one of the best in the country by using handwriting as a common focus. The emphasis on handwriting served as a springboard for student achievement across the curriculum. A sidebar presents "Diagnosis through Handwriting," a guide to detecting children's allergic reactions.…

Examines anxiety levels about teaching and achievement before and after an earth science course. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure anxiety. Reports that initial anxiety levels were changed in a positive direction and significant gains were made in achievement of concepts. (YP)

Presents advice on how teachers can successfully tap into the pool of parent volunteers as a powerful educational resource, offering 14 proven ways to get parents involved and providing words of caution about 6 pitfalls to avoid. Advice from both teachers and parents is included. (SM)

Tips to help teachers avoid burnout include not taking so much work home, not taking on too much, accepting what you can and cannot change, leaving on time, not overvolunteering, requesting a change in grade level or school, doing something for yourself, exercising, setting aside time each day for yourself, and getting some rest. (SM)

Discusses how teachers can choose quality inservice workshops to suit their needs. The guide explains quality inservice in action, five ways to select a great inservice, questions to ask before and after the inservice, how to win $1,000 for the next inservice, and where to go for more information. (SM)

Shared reading lets elementary teachers show children what reading is about. Teachers read the text aloud and encourage students to read along. All levels of readers can participate. Teachers can do letter or sound searches to help children understand how to use what they know about letters and spelling patterns in order to read unfamiliar words.…