Maintains that small-group games increase student time on task over whole-class games. Provides guidelines for designing small-group games as well as large-group games. Points out that games provide leadership opportunities, review material presented in class, and develop cognitive and social skills. Provides a list of teaching resources for using…

Classroom observations and field notes were collected during group reading time in four southeast London primary schools to investigate the interplay between gender, teacher, and peer group influences. Reading behavior among boys differed in each classroom. English as an Additional Language (EAL) male students seemed highly motivated;…

Asserts that elementary students should know the basic vocabulary of economics, in particular, the "Significant Six": (1) goods and services; (2) productive resources; (3) scarcity; (4) opportunity cost; (5) specialization; and (6) exchange. Provides a lesson called "Benny's Pennies" that focuses on goods and services that…

Designed to tap the rich collection of instructional techniques in the ERIC database, this compilation of lesson plans focuses on helping elementary-school students to work together as they learn to read, write, and communicate. The 48 lesson plans in the book cover writing to communicate, reading for information, responding to literature,…

"Volunteers Teaching Children" describes the Volunteer-led Investigations in Neighborhood Ecology, or VINE Programs, established by Denver Audubon Society members as an urban education project, and how that model has been adapted to draw on the human and financial resources available in other cities. VINE Programs give children…

Learning activities, objectives, and resource materials for multicultural education in grades K-9 are presented. The document consists of six parts in addition to the introduction (Part 1). Part 2 includes a definition of multicultural education and curriculum goals, and student goals approved by the Michigan State Board of Education. Part 3…

Provides evidence that benefits occur when friends, compared with nonfriends, are coworkers on cognitive tasks. Notes meta-analysis which found superior performance was demonstrated in the areas of seeking scarce resources, problem solving, creative activity, and reaching consensus. Argues teachers should consider giving students the opportunity…

Two activities for grades 3 through 8 explore species adaptation and forestry issues in the North American rainforests. In one activity, students create imaginary species of plants or animals that are adapted for life in an ancient temperate rainforest. In the second activity, students role play groups affected by plans to log an area of the…

A third grade class served as subjects of this study on the use of paired keyboards attached to a single microcomputer as a means to facilitate Internet exploration. A collaborative environment resulted, where students could benefit from the scaffolding provided by computer and Internet resources. (AEF)

Paraphrases the book "A River Ran Wild" by Lynne Cherry, contrasts how Native American and European settlers use a river, and discusses the pollution and cleanup of the river. Provides classroom discussion questions, and individual or group activities in language arts, art, role-playing, geography, and interviewing. Includes an annotated…

Describes an activity in which students communicate with real science professionals. This activity requires students to develop a science question, select the appropriate scientist or science professional, and draft and send a letter. Includes tips for developing a resource list of cooperating science professionals, guiding students in developing…

This guide contains a sample press release, artwork, bibliographies, and program ideas for use in 1992 public library summer reading programs in Montana. Art work incorporating the dragon theme includes bookmarks, certificates, reading logs, and games. The bibliography lists books in the following categories: picture books and easy fiction (49…

This manual presents information about Iowa's 1991 summer reading program, whose theme, "Super Summer Reader," celebrates both children and reading, as well as the "super people" found throughout history, in local communities, and in families. The manual contains a planning guide that is arranged by the following topics:…

Using the Big Six research process, students at Live Oak Elementary (Round Rock, TX) supplemented information from traditional print and electronic sources with e-mail exchanges around the world to complete a library research collaborative project culminating in an original folk tale. Describes the Big Six process and how it was applied. (PEN)

Presents two classroom ideas for elementary social studies: (1) a job description and responsibility program and (2) a cross-cultural, folktale-based activity using an award-winning children's book. Includes instructions for implementing the activities, a list of job descriptions, and a chart of African terms and their English meanings. (CFR)