Children are born learning machines who want to learn and can organize and manage their own learning. Unfortunately, today children have little choice over what they do in school and how and when they do it. Children prepared in this "other-determined" manner will be poorly equipped to navigate an adult world requiring that they act…

Teachers use traditional incentive and reward systems with the best of intentions. We're trying to support students' positive behavior and learning. We're hoping to motivate and inspire students to work hard and do well in school. "If everyone behaves, we'll have a pizza party. The more books you read, the more stickers you'll receive."…

As the demand for opportunities to learn English grows throughout the world, parents and educators are looking for innovative ways to engage students in English-learning opportunities. Perhaps your school or municipality will seek to initiate an English Camp to be on trend with this growing need. Or perhaps, like many go-getter teachers, you wish…

The authors discuss the sequential nature of becoming a teacher of the highest caliber, an "inspirational" teacher, by creating a personal mission statement, classroom mission statement, modeling, respecting listening and building relationships. The first level of inspirational teaching is the creation of a personal mission statement. Great…

Defining creativity as a process that draws upon talents, education, skills, thinking and working styles, and inherent intelligence, and pinpointing motivation as the single most important ingredient in the creativity recipe, this book provides dozens of concrete, hands-on exercises and techniques that can help a parent or teacher keep creativity…

Self-regulated learning is defined as the ability of a child to learn independently of a teacher or parent. Self-regulated learners require knowledge of a topic, basic skills for learning, and motivation. Self-regulated learners distinguish themselves from other learners in that they are aware of themselves as learners and have an awareness of the…

States that puzzles are an important tool in helping children engage in the problem-solving process. Claims that children are interested in puzzles because they can be active as observers, problem solvers, and learners, with little or no assistance from adults and others. Defines nine characteristics of good puzzle-making situations. (MOK)

Using the syllabus theme Insecta, strategies for implementing a holistic approach to teaching biology is described. This approach relies largely on self-activity, self-discovery, differentiation, and intrinsic motivation on the part of the student to enhance their learning experiences. (ZWH)

To capitalize on the thoughtful use of resources and technology, students should be taught how to allocate time to different stages of the research process. Examines the research process; discusses intrinsic and extrinsic motivation; and suggests teachers make engaging assignments, provide time for synthesizing, and encourage thinking rather than…

Argues that learners need to know that their teacher values their knowledge and respects their individual ways of constructing meaning, and that such a classroom environment will cultivate students' intrinsic motivation and connect it with their literacy learning. Offers suggestions to nurture students' intrinsic motivation for literacy learning…

Suggests that classroom teachers need to reexamine the ease with which they use rewards to shape desirable behavior in children. Examines external and internal control, and problems posed by the use of rewards. Provides examples of how teachers can help develop intrinsic motivation in students without tangible rewards. (HTH)

Highlights a performance assessment process used by one teacher with her second and third grade students, in which teacher and students work together to generate specific performance standards for a variety of reading and writing tasks. Looks at setting the stage; teacher-student collaboration in structured rubric development; expanding the…

Describes a flexible format for a literature unit which avoids the problems associated with a structure which is too rigid or allows too much latitude for students. Notes that the students produce some excellent thinking and writing. (MG)

SUPERSTARS III is a K-8 program designed as an enrichment opportunity for self-directed learners in mathematics. The basic purpose of SUPERSTARS III is to provide the extra challenge that self-motivated students need in mathematics and to do so in a structured, long-term program that does not impinge on the normal classroom routine or the…

SUPERSTARS III is a K-8 program designed as an enrichment opportunity for self-directed learners in mathematics. The basic purpose of SUPERSTARS III is to provide the extra challenge that self-motivated students need in mathematics and to do so in a structured, long-term program that does not impinge on the normal classroom routine or the…