Argues that eclecticism is not a viable teaching philosophy and examines reasons teachers follow the practice in the belief that students' learning needs are adequately met. Encourages teachers to examine their classroom practices, and to focus on, and listen to, individual students to determine the direction and pace of their learning experience.…

Research indicates that few state departments of education have actually mandated human rights education in their schools. Clearly, individual teachers will need to take responsibility for the integration of peace education and human rights education. By integrating human rights education and peace education into the daily fabric of the school…

Notes that teachers have differing views toward children who bully. Addresses characteristics of bullies and their victims, incidences of bullying among children, the effects of bullying on children, and recommendations for teachers' support, including school-wide, classroom, and individual interventions. (DLH)

Suggests that documentation can help teachers: (1) better respond to demands for accountability; (2) teach through direct, first-hand interactive experiences that enhance brain development; (3) be more effective; (4) meet special needs; and (5) help children perceive learning to be important and worthwhile. Describes several methods of…

Swaffield School, a nursery and primary school in innercity London, developed a multidisciplinary recycling project, Save the Trees, which focuses on paper and its link to the forest. The project involves group participation in handmade paper storycloths based on forest images and development of stories derived from the storycloths. (LB)

Discusses four strategies teachers can use to encourage friendships among and to develop interpersonal skills of students when incorporating special needs children into regular classroom settings. Strategies involve: (1) establishing a classroom climate that encourages peer interaction; (2) encouraging deeper friendships with diverse children; (3)…

Summarizes 10 documents and 7 journal articles from the ERIC database discussing the resilience of children. Topics covered include: ways to develop and promote resiliency in children; characteristics of resilient children; descriptions of school and community programs successful in promoting students' resilience and success; and characteristics…

Provides a selective overview of social forces and problems (such as divorce, teenage pregnancy, one parent families, mothers working outside the home, and drug abuse) that will shape children's education in the 1980s. (HOD)

Addresses attitudes toward reading resulting in beginning reading instruction in the kindergarten and preschool curriculum. Argues that previously accepted notions of the necessity of reading readiness are no longer viable and encourages home and classroom support for the acquisition of reading abilities through written and oral language. (DST)

Highlights selected recent ERIC documents that discuss aspects of program and school effectiveness in middle level education. Provides citations on eight books and five journal articles with abstracts and ordering information. (AA)

Discusses the need for reform at the middle school educational level. Suggests that middle schools should create an environment that reflects and responds to young adolescents' needs and developmental level. Effective middle school teachers must adopt new modes of teaching as they face the challenges and opportunities presented by changing…

Discusses four principles that can help middle school environments overcome common behavior problems and become places where young adolescents develop responsibility for their learning: (1) foster natural human development; (2) respond to individual needs; (3) avoid artificially imposed classroom order and promote self organization; and (4) value…

Offers suggestions to caregivers for creating successful literacy experiences for infants and toddlers in all types of group settings. Explores research on parental behavior during book-reading experiences and provides guidelines for caregivers. Also offers advice on designing a center's physical environment and selecting children's books. (EV)

Defines inclusion and the importance of inclusive education. Suggests that reciprocity built on self-empowerment, mutual need, ethics, and rationality builds partnerships for inclusion. Illustrates creating reciprocal partnerships by describing one effort to build a developmentally appropriate classroom. Describes a seven-step exchange model for…

Summarizes seven ERIC documents and three journal articles on student motivation, focusing on students in the intermediate grades and middle level education. A number of factors that influence student motivation, as well as strategies for improving student attitudes toward learning, are covered. (TJQ)