Presents a list of affordable decorating suggestions for elementary classrooms, including: a reading tepee where students can read quietly; bouquets of construction paper flowers with students' pictures in them; an art center that displays posters of paintings by famous artists; colorful curtains created with bulletin board paper; and a secret…

Describes how teachers can set up high-quality classroom libraries that motivate students to read. Suggestions include assessing student needs; acquiring reading materials (through book clubs and donations from students and families); and being actively innovative so the library remains fresh and dynamic (e.g., by adding shelves, offering a wide…

Spreadsheets can help teachers manage a variety of routine tasks with ease. From creating class lists to taking surveys and graphing results, spreadsheet programs have limitless classroom potential. This article offers six ways to put spreadsheets to work, including class lists, all-about-me surveys, name tags, calendars, skill-building games, and…

Professional and personal systems to help keep teachers organized and at ease with the many tasks of teaching are described, including tracking supplies, preparing for substitute teachers, using technology, setting up for volunteers, providing stress relief, and knowing personal and professional limits. (CB)

Role playing stimulates thinking. It helps students seek more than one solution to a problem, and it promotes consideration of long-range effects of choices. (Author)

Discusses how a staff meeting may be effective in aiding instructors with direction giving. (GB)

Discusses how and where consumers may go for assistance and information when purchasing products or when seeking redress for an unsatisfactory item. (Editor)

Article contains class activities based on the entire consumer economics series. (GB)

Lists several activities to develop perceptual skills and sensory awareness with readily accessible materials. (GB)

Author feels that teachers should start delegating responsibilities early to help students develop good judgement. (GB)

Presents tips and a checklist to help primary teachers prepare for a new school year. Suggests that in August the teacher should prepare the classroom, decide on the schedule and class rules, meet parents, and prepare a teaching plan for the first day of school. (SJL)

This paper presents a guide to help teachers learn to use the Internet, describing what the Internet is, what they will need to access the Internet, how to speak Internet, and how to connect with online services. A final section presents eight recommended Internet resources for teachers. (SM)

Three elementary educators present computer tools to help teachers get the school year off to a good start. They include Quick Study Reference Charts, which are laminated cards that describe useful features of over 100 computer tools; user-friendly software for designing badges on the computer; and an affordable plug-and-play scanner. (SM)

Ever wish you could give your classroom a face-lifting? You can, inexpensively and effectively. To show you how, the Instructor staff invaded two rooms at Dansville Elementary School to help solve some problems. You'll be intrigued by their suggestions and encouraged to try your own ideas. (Editor/RK)

Science programs should be such that a child develops a set of skills to explore content, rather than learning the content by rote or by memorizing. (GB)