Presents a step-by-step approach to using sentences from children's reading and writing to boost spelling skills while incorporating the principles and tying them in with curriculum areas. The steps include choosing a word, coaxing multiple strategies, branching to other words, making the connection, and using the sentence in many different ways.…

Discusses the topic-based approach for primary classroom curriculum. Focuses on the appropriateness of the approach for the acquisition of language and literary skills by children with learning difficulties. (RJC)

This article describes how to play a card game entitled "Is It 10?" which is designed to capture elementary school students' attention while they practice addition, explore number combinations, and learn beginning probability concepts. Suggestions for both primary and older students are provided. (SM)

Fourteen examples are given of teacher-created day-long celebrations which are designed to sharpen students' thinking skills and incorporate math, science, reading, and language arts. The special days include Janus Day, Twins Day, Friendship Day, Interactive Reading Fair, Sixties Day, Clash Day, Generation Day, and Back-to-the-Future Day. (IAH)

Presents an annotated listing of books about all kinds of heroes for elementary school students. Stories include the young King Arthur; an assertive, baseball-playing heroine who becomes a princess; an older brother dealing with his younger brother; a Christmas story; civil rights icon Rosa Parks; and the cow who jumped over the moon. (SM)

Presents three activities to teach elementary students about why magnets stick to some things but not others. The activities have students discover what makes materials magnetic, what the lines of force are in a magnetic field, and how magnetic forces penetrate materials such as paper and cardboard. (SM)

This guide is intended to help elementary school educators as well as school and district administrators develop and implement effective prevention and intervention strategies that promote positive student behavior. The guide includes five recommendations and indicates the quality of the evidence that supports them: (1) Identify the specifics of…

The focus in this report is the concept of what it means to "do mathematics" in the context of a group working committee of teachers and researchers committed to reforming mathematics teaching. During a regular meeting of this group of teachers and researchers, the participants explored the mathematical reasoning embedded in one…

Examines how teachers' conceptions about teaching mathematics influence the manner in which they plan instruction in mathematical problem solving. Results demonstrate that teachers had a limited knowledge of teaching techniques and that teachers' concerns focused more on collection of materials and resources than on how to teach problem solving.…

Presents a theoretical analysis of how class conditions such as textbook organization and content, compositional characteristics of classes, instructional time and teachers' beliefs can influence the mathematics content that teachers introduce. Looks at implications for further study of teacher decision making, textbook content, and organization.…

This guide is intended to provide educators responsible for selecting elementary science curriculum materials for high ability learners with both quantitative and qualitative assessment data for 27 science curricula or materials. The review process attempted to balance sound practices of curriculum development (using standards required for any…

Many believe that children begin to learn science from the moment they start to perceive their environment. They have an innate need to make sense of what happens. Little by little, they form a useful model of the world around them. Before children go to school, they exercise their natural curiosity daily. School can expand a child's understanding…

Take the wraps off! More than 20 classroom activities bring to light the treasures of an ancient culture. (Editor)

The addition facts are always the same, but a new perspective adds exploration and discovery to learning math basics. (Editor)

Changes in the Chinese educational policy are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on academic learning in general and mathematics and science education in particular. The structure of schooling, the child's view, a teacher's life, and the mathematics curriculum are each described. (MNS)