Discusses the reading plans used in two open classrooms. A classroom for third/fourth graders is designed to provide experiences in joining written languages to things and activities, while a class of fifth/sixth graders is encouraged to work together in small groups and help each other. (Author/JM)

Explains that extensive reading (ER) programs involve students in silently reading large quantities of materials. Discusses the possible benefits of adding a group element to second language ER. Presents cooperative learning principles that can facilitate effective group interaction to accompany ER. Provides examples of activities that blend…

Discusses the importance of using document-based instruction in social studies at the elementary school level. Describes an exercise used with preservice teachers that can train them to use this technique in their own classrooms. Lists the documents needed and the questions to ask during the activity. (CMK)

Describes experiences in career exploration in a third grade classroom based on the Foxfire approach to instruction. Students researched careers by writing letters and interviewing real career people. They also set up "junior businesses" in the classroom, which involved designing business cards and purchasing products to sell. Students…

This activity book includes across-the-curriculum activities with Olympic themes; a "cooperation relay" (four competitive team activities based on a cooperative learning model); highlights of African Americans' Olympic achievements; a poster on teamwork and activities based on the theme of keeping the Olympic torch alive; and a…

In using manipulative materials in an elementary mathematics classroom, each student can be placed in a cooperative-task group, with each member of the group interdependently performing a specific function. This article describes in detail an activity utilizing pentominoes that demonstrates how such a classroom management system can be…

In this group activity, children learn about the purpose of tagging and how scientists tag a shark. Using a cut-out of a shark, students identify, measure, record data, read coordinates, and tag a shark. Includes introductory information about the purpose of tagging and the procedure, a data sheet showing original tagging data from Tampa Bay, and…

Conducts a meta-analysis of supplemental, adult-instructed one-to-one reading interventions for elementary students (N=1,539) at risk for reading failure. Results indicate that interventions using trained volunteers or college students were highly effective. Studies comparing one-to-one with small-group supplemental instruction showed no advantage…

This book offers teachers a practical and theoretical classroom guide to the many ways music and stories may be explored, both independently and in tandem, to give students a better understanding and appreciation of each art form separately and of their power together. The crucial aspect of activities described in the book is original productions…

This resource book presents cooperative learning activities which relate to our world and the social studies. The book is divided into three sections: (1) "Preparation," to help make cooperative learning part of the curriculum today; (2) "Activity Units," focusing on world culture, natural history, governments and leaders, and contemporary…

This story, intended for classroom presentation, comes with suggested activities (with illustrations) for students to undertake. The story is designed to be initially presented by one storyteller/teacher (with different voices) or by 5-8 students in group tandem style. The story and the activities allow students to develop various oral language…

A project is an in-depth investigation of a topic worth learning more about, usually undertaken by a group of children within a class. The goal of a project is to learn more about a topic rather than to find answers to questions posed by a teacher. Project work is complementary to the systematic parts of a curriculum. Whereas systematic…

Meant to be adapted by the K-4 classroom teacher to best meet the needs of students, this book describes Children's Own Stories, a program in which young children dictate their ideas and thoughts to adults, and develop a sense of community with their peers as they talk together, share their stories, collaborate on stories, and read and enjoy works…

A project is an in-depth investigation of a topic worth learning more about, usually undertaken by a group of children within a class. The goal of a project is to learn more about a topic rather than to find answers to questions posed by a teacher. Project work is complementary to the systematic parts of a curriculum. Whereas systematic…

A project is an in-depth investigation of a topic worth learning more about, usually undertaken by a group of children within a class. The goal of a project is to learn more about a topic rather than to find answers to questions posed by a teacher. Project work is complementary to the systematic parts of a curriculum. Whereas systematic…