Based on the perception that teacher educators deliver preparation programs which have little influence on the way graduates actually teach and that they are completely out of touch with the actual teaching conditions in contemporary schools, a survey was conducted to see what activities teachers felt were most relevant for reading methods classes…

Argues that with a little creativity and some scrounged materials, social studies teachers can construct interesting games and activities. Provides examples of games and a lesson plan teaching responsibility through a group construction. Profiles an instructional materials center that collects and distributes donated materials. (MJP)

Attempts to determine the type of rehearsal organizational structure used by successful Ohio high school mixed chorus directors. Examines relationships between rehearsal structure and either teaching style or student attitudes. Results imply that music methods courses should offer a variety of rehearsal organizational strategies. (Author/LS)

Reports on a survey of 122 elementary art education methods instructors in the United States and Canada. Finds that methods courses focus on one of three general areas: (1) those that focus on art itself; (2) those that focus on pedagogical issues; or (3) those that focus on the non-art major preservice teacher. (CFR)

Discusses the problems and benefits of implementing portfolio evaluation in a preservice teacher social studies methods course. Maintains that adopting portfolio assessment opens the way for students to construct alternative conceptions of teaching. Includes criteria for the development and evaluation of students' portfolios. (MJP)

Research has shown that elementary teachers are mathematics anxious, and that this anxiousness can be transmitted to their students. Therefore, many students are not afforded the opportunity to participate in a comfortable mathematics environment. Preservice elementary teachers (n=63) reported their pre- and posttest mathematics anxiety using the…

This paper describes a simulation activity, which was coupled with Confluent/Gestalt meta-processing, that was designed to address the affective component of a mathematics procedures class for preservice teachers. The activity consisted of an explanation and demonstration for teacher educators. It is argued that a reconstruction of disposition…

In the master's program in the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course at the American University of Cairo (Egypt), student projects linking theory with classroom practice are used as a teacher training technique. The projects allow trainees to synthesize theoretical concepts, learn processes and develop materials they can use in…

This "hybrid" textbook (part anthology, part activities, part discursive text) introduces methods students to important topics in English education. The book introduces students to a process approach to writing, a reader-response approach to literature, and a sociolinguistic approach to language. Each chapter in the book features: an…

To obtain practical experience, a research methods class at the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs) undertook a special project to help a nearby county (Park County), assess its planning needs. The county was chosen for its characteristics as a rapidly growing rural area faced with the problems created by mounting population pressure on…

Maintains that two goals in multicultural art education are developing students' sensitivity to the techniques and inspiration of artists and utilizing that understanding to discover more about their own beliefs and values as translated through an art object. Describes a case-study lesson based on this approach. (CFR)

Offers three strategies from "Strategies for Teaching: Guide for Music Methods Classes," that was developed under the leadership of MENC's Society for Music Teacher Education. Gives guidelines for methods teachers to prepare their students for incorporating the National Standards for Music Education into music instruction at all grade…

Reflecting recent policy and standards initiatives, emerging research agendas, and key innovations, this volume provides a contemporary overview of important developments and issues that have that have in recent years shaped elementary science education pre-service courses and professional development, and practices that are shaping future…

This role-play activity is designed for use by teacher educators in a general or content area methods class to help education majors become knowledgeable of role expectations in the student teaching experience and build good interpersonal role relationships. Students conduct library research and interviews concerning role expectations, use the…

Maintains that, despite great strides in geographic education, many social studies methods professors still are using outdated geographic materials, methods, and techniques. Describes an intensive four-day conference bringing together social studies methods and geography professors. (CFR)