This book examines everyday use of questions in elementary classrooms, exploring the range of questions teachers can ask, strategies teachers can use in questioning, and ways that teachers can evaluate the effectiveness of their questions. Section 1, "Why Do We Ask Questions?" introduces the issue. Section 2, "What Kinds of…

If a principal's goal is to improve the overall quality of reading instruction in his school, this guide can help him identify the most critical changes that must be made. It describes the types of instruction and leadership activities necessary to help all children become proficient readers in elementary school. It does not contain all the…

This guide is intended to assist in the evaluation of elementary science curriculum materials for use with high ability learners, in the light of calls for a "new science" which stresses depth of conceptual understanding. It presents a curriculum review process and two evaluation instruments. The process is intended to balance sound practices of…

This publication from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is designed to inform parents about the department's Grade Three curriculum standards in four major areas: language arts/reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. The integrated language arts/reading standards include the study of roots, prefixes, and suffixes to…

Describes a project that combines technology, teacher education, and the use of manipulatives for mathematics instruction to enhance the professional development of prospective teachers. The multimedia developed in the project are a means of bringing the classroom environment to the university to facilitate discussions about prospective teachers'…

Because school success is predicted largely by emotional and social measures, teachers and parents cannot start too early in helping children develop their emotional intelligence. The paper describes emotional intelligence, discusses how to teach it, and presents resources for learning how other schools are helping students build emotional…

This report is designed to assist teachers in California who work with children who have been exposed to drugs before birth by providing these teachers with a catalogue of sources for support and information about how to reach and teach the children, and how to anticipate and confront behavior problems. The report contains a list of 30 federal,…

This manual includes all necessary information for implementing the Champs program, which trains older elementary school students or middle/high school students to operate puppets to deliver an HIV/AIDS message to kindergarten through sixth graders. Relying on a peer approach, the Program provides scripted, prerecorded lessons intended to reach…

This document states the position of the National Association of Elementary School Principals regarding the essential ingredients of a fine elementary or middle school. It combines the findings of current research on effective schooling with the practical, onsite experience of working principals. After a brief introduction, these standards are…

In everyday interactions with children, there are many things that parents can do--and do without lecturing or applying pressure--to help children learn to solve problems, to communicate mathematically and to demonstrate reasoning abilities. These skills are fundamental to learning mathematics. The major portion of this booklet is made up of…

This elementary physical education teacher developed a student evaluation system by rewriting the curriculum, producing a series of grade-specific objectives to guide her teaching, matching learning activities, creating rubrics for the objectives which she and the students could use, and generating computerized, personalized grade reports for each…

Discussed is the concept of mirroring in which computer programs are used to enhance the use of mathematics manipulatives. The strengths and weaknesses of this approach are presented. The uses of the computer in modeling and as a manipulative are also described. Several software packages are suggested. (CW)

Presents teachers with guidelines for being sensitive to Native Americans and other people of different cultures and for teaching young children about cultural diversity. Stresses the need for inclusiveness of all cultural groups, especially Native Americans, in the classroom. (BB)

Offers suggestions on helping foster children adjust and succeed at home and school. Drawing on advice from a child psychologist and an adoption/foster care expert, the paper discusses how foster care and adoption work, how the school can help, and what the families need. (SM)

Skills are listed that are to be introduced at the kindergarten level in Mississippi's schools. The list includes skills in the following areas: reading, English/language arts, accelerated English, mathematics, art, computer education, foreign language, health, physical education, music, oral communication, science, and social studies. Skills to…