The purpose of this paper was threefold: (1) to review the literature; (2) to determine the effects of the use of humor upon stress within the classroom; and (3) to examine the extent to which students and teachers use humor as a coping mechanism to deal with stressful school situations. It was hypothesized that humor in the classroom is effective…

This guide is intended to assist in the evaluation of elementary science curriculum materials for use with high ability learners, in the light of calls for a "new science" which stresses depth of conceptual understanding. It presents a curriculum review process and two evaluation instruments. The process is intended to balance sound practices of…

Aided by a 21-member Elementary Education Study Group, the Secretary of Education has prepared the first comprehensive report on elementary education in the United States in more than three decades. The report finds America's elementary schools in pretty good shape, and states that they do their job especially well in the early grades, only…

A guide to behavioral objectives for elementary school mathematics published in the Assyrian language contains the complete sequence of objectives for the first four levels, covering kindergarten and grade 1. The levels include the average number of objectives the student should cover in a specific time period. The program gives the child the…

Fifteen interdisciplinary lessons on marine invertebrates (mollusks, echinoderms, and jellyfish) are provided in this unit designed for students in kindergarten and in grades 1 and 2. Each lesson includes lesson concept, competency goals, objectives, materials needed, background information, teacher preparation, and activities suitable for use in…

The goals of this research were to: (1) develop instruments useful in profiling the characteristics of teaching manuals used with grade 4 science textbooks and the effects of those manuals on teacher and pupil activities; (2) look at both high and low inference perspectives in making these profiles; (3) develop two instruments, one for elementary…

Stresses the importance of hands-on science in elementary schools. Gives tips on designing your own excellent science program. Lists resources for hands-on activities. (RT)

This book provides activities for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade teachers and librarians to use in the spare moments that can be transformed into educational experiences. The activities range from individual paper-and-pencil games, to partner activities, to whole-class ideas, and combinations thereof. The activities are arranged by subject (i.e.,…

Elementary school students need to work independently during writing time and monitor and assess their own progress. This paper describes self-designed rubrics, which teachers create with the help of their students. A class activity sheet explains how to create writing rubrics based on needs and goals that students identify. (SM)

Described are integrated science and mathematics activities that focus on gathering, displaying, and interpreting data on balloons. Students are involved in sampling, taking polls and surveys, doing experiments, classifying, estimating, and measuring. Included are directions, extensions, and activity sheets for students and parents. (KR)

Four mathematics activities with extensions are presented. The focus is on using and interpreting data as a basis for integrating mathematics, science, and social studies. Parent participation is encouraged. Reproducible sheets are included. (KR)

Provides six fully developed library media activities to be used in conjunction with specific curriculum units in art, health, physical education, reading/language arts, science and mathematics, and social studies. Grade levels, objectives, curriculum objectives, resources, instructional roles, activities and procedures for completion, evaluation,…

Presents several across-the-curriculum activities for elementary teachers. Math activities include reading a book and dividing with beans. Science activities teach about caves and about the weather. A writing activity explains how to inspire students to write good stories. An art activity focuses on Chinese landscapes. (SM)

This K-3 social studies activity combines art and language arts with social studies skills and attitudes. Teachers use the old Japanese tradition of story cards to check students' comprehension, give them practice in oral communication, and develop their visual/spatial intelligence, all while teaching them about another culture. (SM)

Because school success is predicted largely by emotional and social measures, teachers and parents cannot start too early in helping children develop their emotional intelligence. The paper describes emotional intelligence, discusses how to teach it, and presents resources for learning how other schools are helping students build emotional…