Discusses books chosen by teachers to read themselves during sustained silent reading. Selections are arranged under the following headings: professional books, activities books, and children's literature. (FL)

Excerpted from "On Teaching," Schocken Books, Inc., New York, 1976. Deals with losing control, being out of control, fatigue and private spaces, as problems related to teacher productivity. (PR)

The conflict between a teacher who favored an informal mode of instruction and a principal who favored a more structured environment, and how this conflict was partially resolved through professional counseling for both parties, are discussed. (RW)

Discusses six proactive strategies to help teachers improve classroom discipline: (1) move around the room; (2) teach social skills; (3) have a sense of humor; (4) don't personalize unruly behavior; (5) look for causes of discipline problems; and (6) promote student responsibility. (SM)

By teaching students self-control, teachers can powerfully affect student behavior. This involves explaining to students what negative signals are and what choices they have. By creating a classroom where students can meet their basic needs of fun, freedom, belonging, and power, teachers allow students to control their own behavior. (SM)

Discusses factors leading to mathematics anxiety, including personality factors, pressure from authority figures, time pressure, public failure, the right/wrong dichotomy, constructive criticism, and competition. Suggests a number of specific ways that parents and teachers can help reduce students' anxiety. (MKR)

This study compared the mathematical competencies and attitudes of elementary education majors (n=171) to a representative college population. Results indicated that elementary education majors possessed more negative attitudes toward mathematics and scored lower in 9 of 10 competency categories than the general college population. Significant…

Examines how one teacher combined jump rope jingles and computerized telecommunications to create a cross-cultural curriculum, having students use electronic mail to collect data from and play games with other students nationwide. The article also describes technology tools to link students with an international community of learners. (SM)

When classroom and physical educators work together, their students benefit, and so do the educators. Collaboration can expand students' fitness opportunities so there is quality, daily physical education for all. The article explains how to interest classroom teachers in such collaboration and describes successful collaboration in California…

Playing make believe (metaphoric play) with elementary students can promote very real conversations about art. The paper explains how metaphoric play can help teach art. After collecting familiar art (posters, storybook art, etc.), the teacher creates reality-based scenarios to promote talk, then encourages students on to more far-fetched…

A discussion of how to use math manipulatives to teach elementary students focuses on essential program elements: what math manipulatives are and why they are used, common questions about math manipulatives, how one teacher introduced the geoboard into the classroom, and pattern block activities. (SM)

Presents recommendations for teachers and their instructors to help teachers master science courses. Comments for teachers include create a learning community, do not dread solving problems, think things through, and keep a positive attitude. Comments for instructors include think about who your students are, make your course learner-friendly, try…

This report presents detailed summaries of the responses of seven exemplary elementary teachers to a series of open-ended questions about effective social studies curriculum and instruction. The questions addressed the teachers' opinions about elementary social studies purposes and goals, content selection, and representation modes; forms and…

This manual, designed to assist the beginning elementary school teacher in New York City, focuses on practical day-to-day matters such as discipline, class management, clerical procedures, lesson planning, and the act of teaching. Advice is given on: (1) school organization and routines; (2) schedules and activities for the first days; (3) student…

A 2-year study designed to develop ways to improve both the quantity and the quality of the comprehension instruction offered by elementary school teachers involved 9 teachers in the first year and 11 teachers in the second. In each year of the study, the same research procedures were followed, with researchers observing the teachers, then working…