In an online class, students need instruction, incentive, and structure to ensure substantive levels of interaction and participation. This article provides tips that can keep online students fully engaged with one another, so that no one feels as though they are in "a classroom of one."

Dealing with difficult behavior is a matter of awareness of the factors involved in prediction, prevention, and instruction. This means three things: Teachers know, or can be assisted in thinking through the environmental events and contexts that are associated with higher probabilities of problem behavior. Second, teachers can actively manipulate…

Teacher organization is a crucial part of classroom functioning; however, its relation to student achievement has not been investigated as extensively as that of instruction. In this study, organization is defined as the amount of time teachers spend explaining the purpose and procedures of learning activities and daily routines. Data from…

This article offers some organizational solutions to help teachers better manage their classrooms and their time. To assist with the room arrangement, notebooks, and file cabinets, teachers may find it helpful to use color coding. Most teachers will have more than one class to teach during the course of a day, and, perhaps, more than one course to…

Three substitute teachers give six suggestions for making substitute teachers feel more welcome, more effective, and more useful. (MT)

Describes a Cluster Plus plan that groups middle school students into two clusters on each grade level according to ability. This arrangement retains vertical organization into core curriculum areas (mathematics, social studies, English, and science), while allowing flexible regrouping through horizontal team teaching. (MLH)

The relationship between teacher mobility and student behavior is examined, and findings note that inappropriate behaviors decrease as teacher mobility (change from the front of the room) increases. Student/teacher interactions also increase as teachers move about the room. (CL)

Presents a checklist for instructors preparing to teach a large geography lecture class. Suggests having enough supplies, especially paper for copying; ordering enough textbooks; making sure that seats have writing surfaces; writing out examination policies; and other time-saving management procedures. (GG)

The difference between teachers whose classes run smoothly and teachers whose classes are out of control is that the effective teachers speak carefully, take time to give examples, and articulate reasons. Checklists are provided for developing a classroom management plan to reinforce productive behavior and rule out problems. (MT)

In the days before computers, passing on information to substitutes was difficult. Now teachers can individualize their lesson plans to guarantee that substitute teachers and the students will both have a good day. This article provides some plan-ahead procedures that have worked for the author.

Advice, activities, and techniques for getting the first days and weeks of school off to a smooth start are offered in this compilation of six articles taken from issues of "Instructor" (Aug.-Sep. 1976, Aug. 1980, Aug. 1982, Aug. 1983), "Learning" (Sept. 1982), and "Teacher" (Sept. 1979), magazines. Suggestions for…

Suggestions are offered for organizing classrooms to promote learning by all students, including those with special educational needs. Two case studies illustrate the impact of reorganization of intermediate grade classrooms in terms of time on task, motivation, noise level, teacher-student communication, and other factors. (JDD)

By giving each student a number to keep throughout the school year, teachers can maintain efficient classrooms. The paper describes this classroom management system, in which students apply for classroom jobs. The numbers can be used for homework and classroom assignments, organizing attendance, choosing teams, drawing names, and teacher files.…

Examines achievement in individually competitive and cooperatively reward-structured environments during a seven-week class period. Reports no differences between the two treatment groups at posttest. (Author/YP)

In this article, the author gives advice on how music educators can prepare ahead of time for days in which a substitute teacher will be needed. One suggestion includes creating a substitute folder, possibly during the summer when free time is more available. The author also suggests creating actual lesson plans that a substitute with no musical…