Reports a study of a retention procedure in Texas in which children are placed in prefirst grade classrooms rather than promoted to regular first grade after kindergarten. Discusses the procedure's effectiveness and appropriateness, reasons for children's placement, children's behavioral problems, parental motivation and approval, and student…

The article presents a video-based unit on camouflage for students in grades K-5, explaining how to make the classroom VCR a dynamic teaching tool. Information is offered on introducing the unit, active viewing strategies, and follow-up activities. Tips for teaching with video are included. (SM)

Presents cost- and time-effective assessment technique for school counselors. The technique described, early recollections, uses children's early memories to help counselors discern a pattern of their behavior. Discusses assumptions upon which technique of early recollections is built and explains how to incorporate early recollections into…

Describes specific applications of techniques for working with undermotivated students. The techniques described can be used in the classroom or with small groups of targeted students. Included are descriptions of the use of guided fantasy, discussion, a focus on behaviors, positive affirmations, and visualizations. (NB)

Reports a project in which the cued spelling technique was utilized among seven to nine year olds. Concludes that cued spelling is a technique that children can successfully utilize in a peer-tutoring format after relatively brief training using a minimum of special materials. (DB)

By bringing some of the excitement of the stock market to the classroom, teachers can encourage students to learn about the financial world, read the newspaper, work cooperatively, and practice working with money and fractions. The article explains how to get students started and offers some advanced strategies. (SM)

Discusses psychoeducational strategies for teachers to employ when faced with depressed children in their classrooms. Describes student study teams as means to increase understanding and mobilize cooperation and commitment; outlines number of different strategies for individuals and groups within the classroom; and discusses use of art, music,…

It is important to teach dictionary skills to elementary English-as-a-Second-Language students. An English learner's dictionary is a student's main source of information when lacking human help, and though English words may be forgotten, the dictionary skill is learned for life. This article discusses how to include dictionary use in an exam and…

Proposes that it is critical for children to understand and appreciate plants, and that gardening can be integrated into the regular school curriculum. Gives examples of "pizza garden" and flower garden projects related to math, science, language arts, creative arts, nutrition and health, physical education, Earth stewardship, music, social…

Discusses differences between girls and boys, focusing on pitfalls and perils specific to each gender, offering research on differences in their development and educational experiences, explaining how the different sexes self-blame, and noting good news for girls related to equal educational opportunities. The paper concludes that the problems of…

Presents tips on how to create a positive, friendly classroom community from day one. Ideas include beginning the year with getting-to-know-you activities; identifying and positively involving students with potential behavior problems; offering opportunities for students to assist one another with activities; working together toward a goal; and…

Presents word building activities to boost elementary students' decoding skills. Building Toward a Secret Word helps K-3 students learn decoding skills by building words from the letters in one secret word. Sort Words, Transfer Sounds has students in grades 1-3 use sounds from words they know to figure out new words that rhyme. (SM)

Discusses characteristics of lifetime writers: seeing writing's purpose, initiating writing, expressing their own voice, and working well alone. Teachers can encourage this behavior by demonstrating writing, allowing time and choice, using writing skills frequently, demonstrating writing conventions, expecting more, and responding to writing. (SM)

Steps that physical educators can take to ensure that their gymnastics programs are top notch include asking local experts for help, focusing on student learning and assessment, using solid lead-ups and progressions, emphasizing safety, using teaching situations, providing feedback, managing the class effectively, being budget conscious, and…

This articles discusses some of the findings of a small-scale, localized, qualitative study involving children and young people identified and processed as young carers, that are providing 'substantial care' for an adult while in primary and/or secondary school. It explores their views on managing to 'care more' whilst at school and the role that…