Describes how implementing a free activities period at the beginning of the regular class day can encourage creative, independent art projects; development of positive self-attitudes; and reading and writing behaviors and can lower rebellious classroom behavior by providing students with some measure of classroom control. (CRH)

Multiage is an instructional design whereby students from two or more grades are blended together into a learning community that progresses with the same teacher(s) for two or more years. This book was designed to help teachers and administrators explore, implement, and evaluate their multiage program. The book is presented in four parts. The…

Teachers should consider using strategy games to introduce students to problem solving in an enjoyable way. Advantages of games, criteria, games and variations to use, and classroom organization are each discussed. (MNS)

Reviews research in the areas of classroom organization and management, delineating the principles underlying a comprehensive approach to these areas. (MP)

The authors briefly describe their research on teaching cooperative classroom behavior to students; outline the essential components of a curricular activity designed to foster cooperative behavior; and explain how teachers can promote in their students both the skills and the affective components of cooperation. (SJL)

Discusses results of a three-year investigation of personal, social and academic adjustment by learning disabled students. Concludes that younger children in self contained classrooms achieve more academic and personal success than older ones and those in mainstreamed classes. Identifies five critical factors affecting educational outcomes with…

Presents tips to teachers on preserving their enthusiasm, organizing their time, maintaining class control, boosting school morale, and maintaining public support. (Editor/SJL)

Offers three simple strategies for storing and managing hands-on learning materials in the classroom. The strategies include a checklist of storage solutions for the materials, a description of creative hands-on learning centers, and a list of strategies for managing students' use of hands-on materials. (SM)

Reviews 11 recent books and materials on the subject of literacy development. Groups the reviews into the subjects of overall classroom organization, organizing around literature, organizing around writing, and instructional materials. Notes a greater availability of works designed for use in primary grades than for upper elementary grades. (SG)

This article examines cluster grouping as a viable option for meeting the needs of gifted and talented students. It also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of cluster grouping from the perspective of conclusions obtained through the implementation of cluster grouping in an elementary school district. (Contains references.) (CR)

Containing many specific assessment, instruction, and organization ideas and strategies, this book provides "the basics" for this classroom reading assessment and instruction, and supports the importance of the individual classroom teacher's beliefs, decisions, and role. The book is intended for teachers taking certification, graduate,…

This workshop, designed for Chapter 1 compensatory education teachers, administrators, and staff, offers alternatives to the widespread use of worksheets. Four strategies for alternative classroom methods are explored: cooperative learning, peer tutoring, reciprocal teaching, and theme-based instruction. The following elements are included in the…

This study uses data from 171 teachers at eight inner-city elementary and middle schools in Baltimore to examine general patterns and connections between teacher attitudes about parent involvement, school programs, and the actual practices that teachers use. These patterns are examined at different academic levels, in different academic subjects,…

In order to discover how teachers structure the school day, this study examined the relationship between the sequencing, number, and duration of Gump's (1969) "activity segments" and the transitions between them. Detailed notes were written by an observer in 96 hours of observations of four primary and four intermediate classrooms. The…

The purpose of this paper is to outline theory and methods associated with a research strategy for identifying elements of cultural congruence or incogruence in classroom speech events. The hypothesis of "sociolinguistic interference" proposed by D. Hymes is discussed and studies of language education of Hawaiians and other minorities…