Children's magazines are a colorful supplement that can capture the interest of the most reluctant readers. Providing students with magazines geared to their interests and ages can help motivate them to read. The article describes several activities for making the best use of magazines in reading. (SM)

Presents the conclusions of the Economics Association's Primary Economic Awareness Working Group. Discusses the need for economic awareness instruction in the British elementary schools. Offers examples and identifies sources of support for economic awareness instruction. Argues that economics education can be developed as a continuum in the…

Presents steps that teachers can take if they suspect a student is the victim of sexual abuse. The teacher's responsibility is to set the stage for others to investigate by reporting and discussing concerns with the principal, keeping the child calm, and meeting with parents. A list of crucial questions to consider is included. (SM)

Describes how teachers can help primary students study nature and explore the outdoors. The article explains how teachers should give nature studies priority, gather students' ideas on the subjects, assemble an exploration toolbox, measure off spots to study, dig in, return to the classroom, and create cross-curricular activities. (SM)

Argues that teachers should encourage critical thinking among primary school students. Asserts that readiness exercises can help students develop the mental reasoning skills necessary for critical thinking. Suggests (1) posing questions that elicit reflective responses; (2) encouraging students to ask questions to obtain information; and (3)…

Comments on Margaret Spear's work dealing with sex differences in handwriting and cultural stereotyping. Presents evidence of substantial differences between the handwriting of boys and girls. Finds that cultural stereotypes are accepted by teachers. Reports that children are able to determine the sex of the writer from examining the handwriting…

Discusses techniques to use in helping children write more concisely. Minilesson techniques are presented that guide children in making effective writing revisions and deletions as well as explaining why these techniques are useful. (GLR)

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.…

Discusses why it is important to teach arithmetic, showing teachers how to match what they are teaching with children's real-world needs, presenting seven basics for teaching arithmetic today, and offering seven classroom strategies for implementing the instruction. The seven basics emphasize the importance of arithmetic skills and math facts as…

This activity for K-3 students helps them learn to decode and spell words using rhyme, noting that hearing and creating rhyme helps children hear similarities among words. Books with the Dr. Seuss imprint are recommended because they appeal to children. A sample poem entitled March, by Solveig Paulson Russell, is included on a reproducible sheet.…

Presents three activities to help primary students come up with writing ideas. The first helps students share ideas and see patterns in topics. The second has students discuss topics in groups to determine a variety of potential writing topics. The third has students review their topics and compare them with their classmates' topics. (SM)

Presents three activities for teaching elementary students about the built-in mechanisms that help warm-blooded animals maintain constant internal body temperatures. The activities help students understand why humans sweat, why dogs pant, and why blubber keeps whales warm in frigid water. (SM)

Discusses parent/school cooperation in keeping students from falling behind while on a family trip. The teacher crafts various generic assignments that students can complete while vacationing, explains the projects to the parents (noting any needed materials) before their vacation, then has the student present the assignment to the class upon…

This article argues for allowing disabled athletes to participate in interscholastic events in the most inclusive setting possible. A continuum of opportunities is described with benefits to all participants, disabled or able-bodied. Suggestions for coaches are offered including dealing with the issue of competition. An insert includes excerpts…

Presents three reading-comprehension strategies for elementary teachers to use during read-alouds. The first involves reading and using critical-thinking skills. The second uses character mapping to make predictions about a story. The third involves story mapping to encourage independent reading. The strategies encourage students to support one…