This document offers teaching tips to be used if, on administration of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), a class were to present a profile of scores that would suggest the need for help in one or more of the motivation or learning strategies areas assessed by the MSLQ. Some tips are supported by research; others are based…

Guidelines for use by school practitioners in assessing students' motivation to learn are presented. Most of the instruments reviewed and literature discussed pertain primarily to the academic motivation and achievement of students in kindergarten through grade 12. Most are paper-and-pencil, self-report, group-administered measures that can be…

This issue of a publication devoted to providing ideas and guidance for teachers of English as a second language includes the following articles and features: (1) "2LL + CIM = TLP: An Equation That Can [Mean] Total Success for Language Teaching," (2) "Improving Reading Comprehension through Peer Persuasion and Competitions,"…

This paper explains the use of intrinsic analysis procedures developed, as part of the Pennsylvania School Improvement Program (PSIP), to evaluate and choose curriculum materials and instructional programs. An intrinsic analysis, as distinct from an evaluation using outcome measures or classroom processes, employs research criteria to make…

Because motivational factors and test wiseness can contaminate testing used for needs assessments or evaluation purposes, techniques for increasing student and teacher motivation are discussed. Guidelines concerning guessing are also presented. While guessing is encouraged on program evaluation or screening tests, it is not advocated for…

Describes several ways to create a classroom environment conducive to reading, including designing reading bulletin boards, creating reading and writing centers, and establishing "discovery spots" to encourage young readers. (MM)

Guidelines are presented to assist special educators in implementing homework practices. They include determining the amount of homework, deciding on the content of homework, selecting the type of homework, explaining homework to students, assisting students with their homework, motivating students to complete homework, evaluating homework, and…

Secondary school educators too often find that their students do not have the necessary literacy skills to use reading and writing effectively to learn subject matter. For middle and high school educators searching for ways to promote literacy, this book bridges the divide between what the research says works in literacy and what is happening in…

The physical education experience is designed to develop student interest and motivation through flexibility and variety. An elective program was developed to give the students freedom to choose appropriate activities. Emphasis was placed on physical fitness as a lifetime pursuit. (JN)

Identifies behaviors exhibited by students who are victims of learned helplessness and discusses the application of coaching techniques to teach these students to take control of their learning. Details the components of coaching, including active student participation, small sequential learning units, corrective feedback, and attention-getting…

Five pieces focus on task commitment in gifted students. A discussion on assessment of task commitment is followed by articles from the perspectives of kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers and a parent. (CL)

By completing a short worksheet, physical education students can develop and practice a five-step fitness plan that is appropriate for elementary through college students. The steps include: selecting an appropriate goal and listing costs and benefits, assessing progress, creating a supportive environment, using supportive self-messages, and…

Reports what experienced English teachers believed were the shared characteristics of the reluctant writers they had encountered. Suggests some strategies that may help engage reluctant writers. Shows that reluctant writers have a variety of beliefs about writing and themselves as writers. Suggests that stronger and more direct interventions…

This paper proposes that power/control and affiliation may be valid functions of some behaviors and should be considered in a functional behavior analysis of maladaptive behavior in students. Suggestions are offered for school-based manipulations to determine whether power/control and affiliation are relevant functions in given situations.…

Explores the multidimensional nature of learning from text through a discussion of the critical variables of students' knowledge, interest, and use of strategies. Examines the developmental nature of learning from text as students journey through school from acclimation to competence, and finally to expertise in a subject area. Suggests…