The author proposes to student music teachers some preventive discipline measures which emphasize establishing credibility with students through one's own physical image, fairness, and willingness to share agendas with the class. (SJL)

Remarkably versatile and demonstrated as effective at all grade levels, the discussion method has great potential for classroom teaching. Teachers should use this method more often because it teaches students to speak freely, listen to others, analyze different points of view, and evaluate the effectiveness of a discussion. (CMJ)

Offers three simple strategies for storing and managing hands-on learning materials in the classroom. The strategies include a checklist of storage solutions for the materials, a description of creative hands-on learning centers, and a list of strategies for managing students' use of hands-on materials. (SM)

Reviews 11 recent books and materials on the subject of literacy development. Groups the reviews into the subjects of overall classroom organization, organizing around literature, organizing around writing, and instructional materials. Notes a greater availability of works designed for use in primary grades than for upper elementary grades. (SG)

Suggests steps for facilitating the integration of students with emotional or behavioral disorders into the regular music classroom. Recommends easing mainstreaming by: (1) setting up systematic placement procedures; (2) providing adequate classroom structure; (3) "generalizing" programs used in special education; and (4) attending to the…

Argues that social relations, organization, and psychology of today's classroom system are interdependent and suggests that they became important factors in England and the United States through the market and disciplinary revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Examines the educational practices of the English charity school…

Uses a diary format to describe the author's development as a teacher between May 1982 and Spring 1993, focusing on personal experiences affecting her delivery of composition and literature courses. Describes the author's shift from a text-centered to a student-centered curriculum and efforts to include women writers in the curriculum. Includes…

Describes nontraditional, creative teaching methods that celebrate differences among students. Contrasts these classrooms with programs that force teachers and learners into mediocre sameness using teacher-proof approaches that have been proven wrong for both teachers and learners. Uses personal examples from kindergarten and first-grade…

Addresses six environmental variables that can influence the behaviors of young children with disabilities: theoretical orientation of the program, amount of space available, classroom arrangement, length of the play period, effects of social vs. isolate toys, and the effects of different quantities of toys. (Author/CR)

Explores the use of cluster programs as alternatives to the curricular core or distributional requirements for organizing general education. Uses a case study methodology to evaluate the planning processes utilized in curriculum development for a cluster program, where faculty must plan simultaneously at individual course, cluster or sequence, and…

This article examines cluster grouping as a viable option for meeting the needs of gifted and talented students. It also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of cluster grouping from the perspective of conclusions obtained through the implementation of cluster grouping in an elementary school district. (Contains references.) (CR)

Describes the process and preparation for making teacher-requested changes at Notre Dame High School (New Jersey). Narrates the planning that went into making the change to block scheduling, which includes an activity period and double-period class schedule, and discusses the impact of that change on in-service preparation for teachers. Concludes…

The author shares three strategies to increase student participation in class discussions. These can be easily applied to any science content area and have proven to be effective in stimulating student participation by allowing students to communicate their ideas and consider alternative explanations using nontraditional classroom arrangements.…

Creating a classroom environment which is conducive to learning is one of the most important things a teacher can do. This becomes even more crucial as students enter classrooms with their cell phones, pagers, and beepers. Additionally, many students are tardy for class, leave early, or may not appear in class on numerous occasions. Therefore,…

Specific suggestions to help teachers structure the classroom to prevent disruptive behaviors are offered in the areas of physical arrangement and "traffic rules" time management, assignments, grouping practices, classroom atmosphere, and professional demeanor. (DB)