Discusses the "Philosophy for Children" program developed by Matthew Lipman and Ann Margaret Sharp of the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children at Montclair State College in New Jersey. Explains how the teaching of philosophy can also be incorporated into the teacher education curriculum. (FL)

Suggests a spelling riddle activity that can stimulate students' awareness of the complexities of English while providing practice in dictionary skills, phonics, and vocabulary development. Presents several examples. (MS)

Explains how many schools are abandoning the middle school model and returning to kindergarten through eighth grade schools. Notes that one of the professional organizations committed to middle schools believes academic rigor is only feasible in middle schools. Concludes that in the future, the presence and popularity of middle schools will depend…

Discusses the advantages of mainstreaming--combining as many handicapped children into the regular classroom as is possible--and the tragedy of separating those who are marginally handicapped into special education classrooms. (RK)

Presents 19 guidelines for developing children's comprehension skills, addressed to elementary teachers and to parents of preschoolers (53 references). (SJL)

Connects knowledge about good vocabulary instructional practices and actual practice through information, guidelines, and specific strategies. Details the strategies of semantic feature analyses; word maps; individual vocabulary cards; word webs; context-relationship procedure; the Frayer model; and word analogies. Concludes there needs to be…

Notes the rising number of latchkey children and describes several after-school programs designed to meet their special needs. (FL)

Provides a planning transition model for teachers of elementary and middle school. Describes the five essential components of the model: (1) developing a planning team; (2) generating goals and identifying problems; (3) developing written strategic plans; (4) acquiring the support and commitment of teachers; and (5) evaluating the transition…

Examines the effectiveness of a graduate-level mentor program at a small midwestern university. Finds that the four veteran mentor teachers experienced enhanced teacher efficacy and stated they became more aware of their teaching and of the responsibilities they had to their elementary school students. (RS)

Describes a visit by two educators to a primary school in Auckland, New Zealand. Discusses the development of children, educational goals, traditions, curricula, administration, and facilities of this New Zealand school. Finds the major difference is the New Zealand school's child-centered approach. (MS)

Discusses the use of standardized test results as a guide to developing curriculum content and uses data gathered at Hellgate Elementary School, Montana, as an example. (JC)

Discusses the use of standardized test results as a guide to developing curriculum content. Discusses such a plan being used (and offers data gathered) at Hellgate Elementary School, Montana, as an example. (JC)

Suggests that a collaborative relationship between a clinical supervisor and a reading teacher can improve the teacher's effectiveness through a preobservation conference and identification of problems, classroom observation, and a post-observation conference. (JC)