This book presents a framework for discussing the action of teachers in public elementary schools as the 21st century approaches. An educator with almost 30 years of teaching experience speaks from the perspective of teacher and parent. He tells tales about his family and his life as a teacher; he shares his social and moral philosophy and what he…

This document presents a report of a 1992 workshop on teacher development and educational reform. The meeting focused on how various state teacher policies could be integrated into a coherent and comprehensive statewide teacher-development system. Following the executive summary, this report contains two main sections. The first sets the context…

A plan is proposed for the revision of the National Teacher Examinations. The plan is based on measuring what is taught in teacher education curricula. Preservice pedagogical education consists of two types of studies: academic pedagogy and clinical pedagogy. Academic pedagogy consists of concepts and principles pertaining to the making of…

Social studies is a unique subject because it has the potential to bring about significant social change. Social studies educators can serve as change agents because they are in a position to design the nature of the social studies taught in the schools. A case study of the historical context through which social studies evolved in the United…

The status of teacher career ladders in Utah is discussed from five different perspectives. Jim Wilson, representing the Legislative Research Analyst's Office and General Counsel of the Legislature, speaks about legislative intent from the past year and what legislators thought would happen and wanted to happen regarding career ladder bills which…

It is suggested that elementary school students find rational numbers troublesome because some teachers have an inadequate understanding of rational number concepts and poor facility with rational numbers skills. How to help them overcome difficulties, develop concepts, and know what topics to emphasize are discussed. (MNS)

If experiential learning in the elementary school is to become a reality, a support system with at least four ongoing facets (inservice education, communication of experiential links with the standard curriculum, popularization of the concept of experiential learning, and motivation of students) must be implemented. (LC)

Current standards for and assessments of teaching that rely solely on teacher knowledge, reasoning, and sociocultural issues are incomplete. The perspective of teaching as a way of being creates a more comprehensive picture of what it means to be a teacher. A model of teaching that envisions good teaching as wise practice is presented. (SM)

Argues that teachers who steadfastly refuse to include computers in their personal and professional repertoire of skills, despite the advantages, need to be persuaded of the computer's usefulness. Discusses advantages of computers for teachers and ways experienced computer users can help nonusers overcome the barriers. (SM)

Describes a model for exploring the multidimensional relationship between staff development and improvements in student learning. The model is based on the premise that the quality of staff development is influenced by many factors, including content characteristics, process variables, and context characteristics. (SM)

Five case studies of implementation of instructional policy changes at the classroom level by elementary-school mathematics teachers are discussed. The case studies focus on California's new Mathematics Framework. The interaction between teacher practice and policy is emphasized. Teachers' inherited beliefs, knowledge, and existing practices are…

Discusses writing assignments and instructional support needed when the primary purpose of writing is to help students reformulate their subject-matter knowledge. Research on grades one-three illustrates ways in which two writing assignments offer different opportunities to learn about American history. (BB)

Describes one elementary teacher's experience when a minor event (a student forgetting to bring a permission slip and lunch for a field trip) resulted in a major class lesson in responsibility. Another teacher and a social worker present their perspectives on the situation and provide suggestions for teaching responsibility. (SM)

Discusses the issues of best practice, guidance of young children, teacher supervision, power, and rewards in the context of developmentally appropriate practice. Examines a true story about a conflict-laden school situation as an opportunity to explore the dynamics of perspective taking, roles and relationships, turbulent and uncertain…

Provides intermediate grade teachers with strategic guidelines and suggested activities designed to develop and improve the quality of writing experiences among students in the classroom. (BB)