Describes the author's experience with Laura, the younger sister of one of her fifth-grade students from the previous year. Notes her preconceived notions concerning Laura's academic potential. Realizes that she was setting expectations for her students without providing the information her students needed to achieve them. Concludes that Laura had…

Describes one student's writing project and how it develops in a writing program. Notes that his story focuses on the Holocaust and was inspired by reading over 15 books on the topic. (SG)

Describes how sketch journals are used at various times throughout the day and consistently throughout the year in the author's classroom. Presents a demonstration of the theme of experience and the powerful role that it can play in helping teachers improve. Notes how the author encourages students to reach deeper and to enter their own doorways…

Instead of a science fair, the author's intermediate school holds an invention convention. Guided by an Inventor's Log, students must problem solve, think creatively, and budget their time and resources to brainstorm and build an invention. The inventions are built at home, with parental support and supervision. Then, when everyone is ready, the…

Rural school students need ample opportunities to engage in creative writing, particularly the writing of poetry. A student teacher and a cooperating teacher in a rural fifth-grade classroom (with 12 students) guided the students in the writing of limericks by starting out with couplets, then triplets, and then limericks. The teacher had clearly…

This handbook describes the curriculum and academic standards of the Edison Project's Junior Academy for students aged 11-14. The academy features a student-centered environment, daily meetings in advisory groups, family involvement, exposure to the "Greats"--world-changing ideas, outstanding works of art from different cultures, and key…

This paper describes how two middle-school teachers teamed up to teach a grouping of ten- to eleven-year old students with a focus on innovation. They agreed to emphasize the use of a student-centered curriculum, letting the students select a topic or project that interested them as a group and that would take them out into the community. The…

The paper reviews research dealing with spatial cognitive ability differences in gifted children and cites implications for reading instruction of gifted readers. A study is detailed which found (1) different spatial profiles for 62 gifted middle students, and (2) that Ss had either three-dimensional transformational excellence or outstanding…

This pilot project at Bath Elementary School at Richfield, Ohio, was conducted to assess the feasibility of computer assisted instruction (CAI) for the Revere Local Elementary Schools. The primary focus of the project was to assist sixth grade students in using the computer as an interactive instructional system in the areas of remedial reading,…

This article describes a jointly planned and jointly evaluated course offered through Washington State University General Extension. The purpose of the course was to improve instruction in elementary classrooms through use of competency-based training materials (Minicourses) from the Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development.…

Develops a division algorithm in terms of familiar manipulations of concrete objects and presents it with a series of questions for diagnosis of students' understanding of the algorithm in terms of the concrete model utilized. Also offers general guidelines for using concrete illustrations to explain algorithms and other mathematical principles.…

Using ordinary household items--vinegar, ammonia, and cabbage juice--teachers can demonstrate properties of acids, bases, and neutrals. Students are encouraged to discuss results and hypothesize about experiments. A guide to the project is provided. (JL)

The verbalized thinking of two sixth grade children while reading is analyzed using schema theory. An outline of a critical thinking theory is given and contrasted with schema theory. Conclusions for reading theoreticians are discussed. (MT)

A computer software graphics/text program was used with a group of behavior-disordered and learning-disabled students (ages 10-13) to design and produce Christmas cards and related print products as a class project. Sample lesson plans and products, as well as sample order forms and price lists, are given. (JW)

This article describes the training process developed for teachers when the Columbus, Ohio, public schools decided to introduce Student Team Learning in the middle schools and the intermediate elementary grades. (MT)