Demonstrated an experiment on the properties of air to 2 groups of Swedish fourth graders (total n=45), using familiar materials in one case and unfamiliar, "scientific," materials in the other. Written explanations by students show that the unfamiliar materials were a barrier to understanding and may have actually obstructed students'…

A sample of 60 children in Grade 3 was followed over one year. In the first year, an extensive battery of assessments was used including aspects of reading, arithmetic, and working memory. Teachers rated the children on 7-point scales on various motivational dimensions summarized to a total score tentatively called task orientation. In the…

Studied how Swedish schools try to promote students' reading through examination of school-run booktalk conversations held by students in grades 4 through 7. Observations of eight groups show the conflict between the stated aim of promoting reading for pleasure and both tasks presented to students and problems in synchronizing the reading of…

Discusses conflicts and tensions related to teacher autonomy in the context of the Swedish comprehensive school system. Presents two models for strengthening the relative autonomy of teachers that can help them meet the challenges inherent in change. (SLD)

The increased diversification of classrooms in recent years has placed additional demands upon teachers who strive to facilitate the learning and participation of all pupils. The aim of the current study was to explore how primary teachers across Europe understand and respond to diversity in their classrooms. A total of 35 teachers from 7…

Life in the classroom is governed by a variety of rules. One typical classroom rule is the rule of silence or low noise. Teachers often deal with students' noise-making and conversations by hushing them. This article reports an investigation of how hushing can create moral dilemmas for students at their desks in the classroom. This study is part…

Studied for three years were eight Swedish classes with pupils aged 10-12 using calculators whenever they could be of use, along with experimental textbooks. The experimental classes were as competent as control classes in mental arithmetic and calculations with simple algorithms, and had better understanding of numbers and problem solving. (MNS)

Standardized mathematics test results of a twin sample during grades 3 and 6 were interpreted according to an interactional heredity x environment model. Results indicated that similar school instruction made monozygotic twins more alike but dizygotic twins less alike in mathematics knowledge. Social background effects were also studied. (SJL)

Studied personal context and continuity in the thinking of 23 Swedish students from grade 2 through grade 8 using data from a longitudinal study of conceptualizations of ecological processes. While there was substantial conceptual development, there was also a strong element of personal continuity for these students. (SLD)

Studied secondary language learning and literacy practices for Swedish deaf bilingual students for whom Swedish Sign Language is the primary language and written Swedish is the secondary language. Observations in schools for the deaf over 3 years show how everyday classroom interaction makes available and restricts opportunities for students to…

The paper reports three studies addressing the role of numeral writing for arithmetic performance. About 650 children in the age range 5-7 years participated in the studies. The results demonstrate a positive correlation between number of digits correctly written and number of arithmetic problems solved. The correlations between number of reversed…

The Ministry of Education and Research in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture are responsible for setting the aims for the cultural and creative dimensions of education. Decisions about the creation of the curriculum related to culture and creativity within education are made on central level as well as the creation of the arts curriculum.…

School mathematics is governed by a powerful tradition as regards both content and methods. In the first stage of the Alternative Course of Mathematics (ALM) project, an analysis is being made of the mathematics used in the everyday life of the community. By interviewing adults and children outside school, an analysis is also being made of the way…

Differences across gender and culture lines provided support for the existence of biases in gender-role training that may differ among cultures. The fact that some children make cross-sex choices suggests that socialization practices do not influence all children uniformly. (Author)

This study examined content and conventions of stories made up by 6- and 7-year-olds from China, Hungary, and Sweden. Analyses revealed qualitative differences in children's life worlds, which could be related to their cultural backgrounds. The study also explored the origin of characters in the stories, characteristic plot events, and cultural…