Suggests that students who have found "Shane" to be an exciting literary experience can be motivated to read other heroic literature such as "Beowulf" if the teacher presents it with an eye toward motivation. "The Odyssey" might follow os another epic poem. (TJ)

This article presents 15 activities designed to motivate students to engage in creative writing. Also given are ideas on how to reinforce and maintain student interest in writing. (IAH)

This article reports on homework practices of 88 teachers of learning-disabled students. While the findings indicated that respondents were using several quality practices, some problems were noted, especially as regards motivational difficulties. Suggestions for confronting these problems and improving homework procedures are presented.…

The article reviews theories of learning (e.g., stimulus-response, trial and error, operant conditioning, cognitive), considers the role of motivation, and summarizes nine research-supported rules of effective learning. Suggestions are applied to teaching learning strategies to learning-disabled students. (DB)

Sixty-seven gifted young adolescents responded to a scenario in which a student was successful in either a competitive or a non-competitive, individualistic situation. Responses indicated that the subjects perceived greater continuing motivation, attribution of success to effort, and learning for the student in the individualistic scenario.…

Describes a variety of activities for improving students' social studies vocabulary. Groups the activities under the principles of LURE: (1) Linking the new word to a known word or words; (2) Using the new word in speaking and writing; (3) Revisiting new words immediately and often; and (4) Enjoying the fun and power of knowing new words. (SG)

Some teachers believe that children will not learn unless they are entertained. However, in "Talented Teenagers: The Roots of Success and Failure," Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi reports that teens are most interested in school when the classes are demanding and they can stretch their brain power. Only entertaining students will prepare them…

Discusses how to use sustained silent reading to encourage elementary students in independent reading. The strategies include making independent reading a key part of every day, being sure students know the strategies they should practice, and concluding independent reading sessions by discussing strategies. The paper presents a list of 13…

Guidelines for preventing school failure include: (1) recognize early signs of potential failure; (2) build student motivation; (3) utilize students' developmental paths; (4) design focused and interesting curriculum activities; and (5) select motivating management and teaching strategies. (Contains references.) (DB)

Both a guide and an anthology, this book is for teachers (and self-teachers) who would like to explore the list poem, a flexible poetic form that can be used by beginning writers (from kindergarten to 12th grade) as well as by the most sophisticated. The book: offers practical advice on how to teach list poetry; describes how to work with students…

Describes a card game that teachers metabolism to high school biology students. (LS)

Article focused on the technique of creating batik prints, which while stirring student interest, were hung in school halls as part of the permanent collection of student work. (Author/RK)

Recognizing a student project of the month is one possible solution to the problem of motivating vocational agriculture students who are enrolled in supervised occupational experience programs. In small departments, a single winner could be selected; in departments with a large number of students, it is possible to select a winner in each class.…

Article described Art Day, a project involving students who shared with and taught each other providing themselves with a valuable educational experience. (Author/RK)