Discusses successful cooperative relationship between school staff and firefighters to bring fire safety education to elementary school students with visits, presentations, contests, and a day-long Fire Expo held each year. (ET)

Describes one teacher's use of traditional wooden blocks in fifth-grade curriculum. Notes that use of blocks can teach communication, teamwork, precision, and arithmetic concepts. Also describes four easy classroom block projects. (TM)

Reports likely questions and criticisms of teachers and parent groups about whole language instruction. Provides responses that may be given by those who feel challenged to defend their practice as whole language teachers. (BAC)

Suggests library-based activities that focus on the relationship between art and literature. Suggests van Eyck's painting, "The Arnolfini Marriage," to elicit from students the history, conditions, themes, and symbols portrayed. Lists a Web-site for more resources and suggested related literature available at several student levels. (ET)

Describes an urban-suburban partnership in education involving the study of Latin. Lists reasons for joint venture and how it benefitted students. Describes responsibilities of the staff, program activities, and texts and materials used. Presents evaluation of the program and successful techniques for cooperative learning. (BAC)

Describes how an undersupported rural elementary school in Mississippi became a model school with the unique Voyages curriculum. Under the dynamic, professional leadership of its principal, the school and teachers involved the entire community, local legislators, and others to gain support and funds for its innovative program that created an…