Teachers, principals, and supervisors must become very knowledgeable and conversant about different approaches utilized in organizing the language arts curriculum. Thus, the separate subjects approach, the correlated approach, the fused curriculum, and the integrated curriculum represent diverse ways of organizing each of the curriculum areas in…

The booklet examines issues and strategies in serving learning disabled (LD) secondary students. Chapter 1, on program development, reviews such program options as varieties of the resource room model and self-contained class and examines three major factors involved in decisions about program emphases: (1) administrative practices, (2) teacher…

Discusses need for development of keyboarding skills at the elementary school level; issues to be addressed when developing keyboarding curricula (criterion for competence, how much is necessary, time needed, who should teach and how); and program considerations (hardware, curriculum, principles of instruction, instructional periods, classroom or…

Presents ideas for creating a purposeful classroom environment that will help students become strategic readers. Suggestions include using the conference table to learn about students as readers, organizing books to help children make wise choices, and creating a meeting area that invites discussion. (SM)

Suggestions are presented to increase the special education teacher's organizational efficiency, focusing on instructional planning and use of time and space as they relate to classroom organization. (JDD)

Describes important components of parent education classes including: (1) class composition; (2) inherent vulnerability of participants; (3) a fun and encouraging atmosphere; (4) teachers who ask and do not tell; (5) teachers who accept mistakes; (6) a parent-friendly class that includes food, movement, and modeling; and (7) focus on parenthood as…

The six editions of this newsletter provide a forum for the sharing of research findings and instructional strategies by faculty of Western Michigan University on issues connected with critical thinking. Topics addressed include alternative program designs for critical thinking instruction, a philosophical exploration of what critical thinking is,…

Twenty-eight third grade teachers were observed by a team from the Research and Development Center for Teacher Education at the University of Texas in order to identify discipline and teaching strategies most conducive to the establishment of a successful student-teacher relationship. This package is the result. Ideas and suggestions designed to…

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)

Poses six questions for administrators considering a year-round, multitrack school schedule. Discusses probable constraints concerning implementation levels, class organization, staff preparation, and impact on plant maintenance, summer school programs, and community relations. Classroom sharing and summer school present special difficulties;…

In multigrade instruction, children of at least a 2-year grade span and diverse ability levels are grouped in a single classroom and share experiences involving intellectual, academic, and social skills. "The Multigrade Classroom" is a seven-book series that provides an overview of current research on multigrade instruction, identifies…

Presents a discussion of experimental-research paper organization and a method for teaching reading and writing of papers to ESL students. (EKN)

Factors in the physical arrangement of special education classrooms that may lead to greater instructional control and structure include teacher proximity and view, separation of space, and reduction of extraneous stimuli. The issue of making classrooms more relaxed and home-like versus structuring them like regular classes to prepare students for…

Reviews research on the practice of ability grouping (the grouping of students for instruction by ability or achievement to create homogeneous instructional groups). Notes several negative effects of ability grouping, and discusses the implications of this research for classroom practice. (MM)

Highlights the importance of classroom design and organization to early childhood learning environments, and addresses design considerations such as working around fixed features, maximizing learning through organization, and safety. Examines learning considerations such as environment, day's schedule, and support of positive behavior. Highlights…