Presents a procedure writing students can use, either singly or in groups, to exploit the general knowledge they have of common objects, artifacts, and institutions. Describes the use of a matrix to integrate knowledge about realms, or areas of interest, and concerns, or problems. (MM)

This article describes a class activity for use with students (ages 8 through 15) having moderate-to-mild disabilities. Children work through feelings of grief and loss by constructing a "class book" from pictures and articles depicting loss or grief. Students use the book as a basis for personally reflecting on and writing about the…

Describes mapping, a collaborative activity to stimulate discussion or summarize learning. (SR)

Long an advocate of literature circles, Daniels recaps the history of literature circles and cautions against the "terminology drift" that labels practices as literature circles when, in fact, they are not. He offers resources that anchor best practice in this area, and discusses how the concept is evolving and expanding. He also introduces us to…

The author examined the long-term effects of teacher instructional grouping practices on the early mathematical achievement of language minority students from various ethnic groups. The study used 3 longitudinal models. In the 1st model, English language learners (ELLs) displayed lower math performance than did English-only students in the…

The calendar was creeping into June. It was late spring, a time when many students' thoughts were sliding toward summer vacation. But it wasn't a problem in Lori Lowe's classroom. Her students had bigger things on their minds--like whether or not the Civil War would turn out the way they hoped. For many weeks, these fourth graders had been…

Discusses transitions to and from specific activities (i.e., free choice time, group activities, clean-up time, outside play, meals, naps, and using bathrooms) as well as children's arrivals and departures from the preschool or day care center. (CB)

Presents strategies to increase the flow of writing so that students become more attuned to the usefulness of words in capturing thoughts, feelings, and impressions. (RL)

Whenever group work takes place, rules and norms are established by group members. Rules are typically written and formally stated by group members, whereas norms are more informal and are implicitly stated. But regardless of how rules and norms are established, they enable group members to develop procedures from which the group can function.…

Discusses the handling of groups. The teacher should be aware of variables: size of group, composition (by ability, needs, etc.), seating arrangement, group structure, etc. Cooperative, competitive or individual work should be used, depending on the learning goal. The teacher must be perceptive, flexible, and must have good organizing ability.…

Traditional problems in language instruction include competing methodological approaches, excessive cognitive content, and ineffectual teacher and student roles. A new combination of cognitive, direct, and confluent methodological approaches uses classroom time for acquisition activities, reduces grammar learning requirements, and gives students…

Advocates hand making games to save money, and tailoring them to meet individual children's needs, introduce new concepts, develop children's interests, and reinforce curriculum concepts. Provides guidelines for identifying goals and creating self-directing games. Includes specific game ideas and supply lists for a variety of matching, board,…

Describes how to conduct a collaborative group story-writing session with preschool children and encourage the creativity of the group. (MM)

Describes how performing Shel Silverstein's poems is an effective method to practice oral expression. Notes that although this activity was used in a fourth grade class, it could be adapted to any grade level. (MM)

Explores the nature of multiple environments within a middle school classroom from the different perspectives of teacher, student, and participant observer. Discusses the activity settings of lectures and group work, as well as issues of learning and assessment. Argues that teachers need to adopt procedures that enable them to identify and plan…