Investigates the nature of small-group social interactions in the mediation of children's science learning. Reports that the teacher mediated the children's small-group science learning through discourse that negotiated children's status, actions, and meaning, as well as through discourse that established the normative structure of the small…

Describes cooperative group rotation, in which resource books rotate around all the student groups in a classroom. Notes that students thus have access to a variety of books in a small group setting, participate actively, and use information to create projects that demonstrate knowledge about the subject. (SR)

Despite the benefits shown by cooperative learning research, schools foster environments in which students vie for attention and individual achievement. Cooperative learning empowers students and teachers. Cooperation enhances academic achievement and teaches social skills. (BC)

Describes how to develop elementary school class activities centered around conflict resolution based on their reading assignments. Discusses how characters resolve conflicts; acting out examples of conflicts; group activities; assessment; and possible extension activities. (LRW)

Suggests ways of bringing poetry into the elementary classroom: matching poems and students; making poetry readings a regular activity; encouraging students to read, recite, or perform poetry; inviting special guests to perform poetry; celebrating holidays, seasons, and special occasions with poems; providing an audience for student poetry; and…

Preschool and elementary school children can participate in pleasurable and worthwhile language experiences through the use of rhythmic group chants. Teachers can select contemporary poems, nursery rhymes, or have children make up their own chants. Provides examples of group chants and sources for chants, rhymes, and poems. (MDM)

Describes students' enthusiasm for Tuesdays in an American community school in Greece when they get together in small groups to explore, conjecture, analyze, and solve mathematics problems. (ASK)

Fluency instruction can be seamlessly incorporated into any elementary classroom with the help of this indispensable guide. Provided are fluency development ideas that are effective and motivating, including whole-class and small-group lessons, student-managed activities, and procedures involving classroom volunteers. The emphasis on partner-based…

Energy Smarts Team members are energy conscious students who want to save energy at school and at home. Students in a classroom and their teacher form an Energy Smarts Team. Selected students monitor their building each day at recess, lunch, or after school for lights or other electrical equipment that has been left on. The team members keep a log…

This research dealt with the social constitution of learning in classroom settings, attempting to reveal Bruner's (1990, 1996) folk psychology or folk pedagogy in everyday teaching and learning processes. Specifically, it focused on how the reasons or arguments for completing activities emerge while children are attempting to solve a given…

PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR USE IN GRADES ONE THROUGH SIX ARE ENUMERATED AND DESCRIBED IN THIS MANUAL. UNITS OF THE MANUAL WHICH ARE CONCERNED WITH SIDEWALK GAMES, SCHOOLROOM GAMES, BALL GAMES FOR GRADES ONE AND TWO, STUNTS AND STUNT GAMES, AND GAMES OF LOW ORGANIZATION ARE PRESENTED IN A FORMAT WHICH CONSISTS OF (1) A LISTING OF CRITERIA BY…

Most of the classroom activities suggested here were tried out by teachers with their own classes. Although the activities seem most appropriate for elementary grades, they might also be used by older students, especially those in schools not tied to orthodox curriculums. Many of the activities could be linked to subject matter, but others, like…

Creating and organizing their own games helps children to understand and appreciate the importance of cooperation, team play, and adherence to game rules. (JD)

Argues that the strategies and goals of cooperative learning promote good citizenship and the reduction of prejudice. Reviews supporting theories and research and reports on a fifth grade's ten-week cooperative learning experience. (JDH)

Task groups (consisting of three-five students per group), for hands-on, inquiry-oriented activities can provide meaningful learning experiences, develop interpersonal skills, and save money in the classroom. Suggestions for using task groups are provided, describing a recommended instructional model, instructional strategies, and student roles in…