This paper describes research lessons, which form the core of a larger process called lesson study within Japanese elementary science faculty development. Research lessons are actual classroom lessons with students which are: observed by others; planned for a long time, usually collaboratively; designed to bring to life particular goals of…

Elementary school teachers indicated six need areas: (1) developing effective learners and a mastery of basic skills; (2) guiding children to set up and achieve realistic goals; (3) locating materials and inservice support for effective teaching; (4) maintaining discipline; (5) identifying and understanding readiness factors that affect learning;…

Examines reasons why schools need teachers who can and do write. Suggests ways that teachers can learn to write and share the experience with students. (HTH)

Analyzes the effects of using carefully assisted case studies to prepare preservice teachers to be more knowledgeable and skilled in supporting children's response to literature. Notes that over the course of a school year, teachers moved towards a vision of literary response that highlights the interpretation over comprehension. (RS)

Discusses the impact of the Core Knowledge Curriculum (CKC) on the nature of inservice and professional development. Describes one approach to help teachers upgrade their own knowledge in CKC subjects. (GR)

A successful, large-scale staff development program at a Colorado elementary school is described. The article focuses on initial district administrative support, transition to a teacher-directed program, and the voluntary peer coaching program which kept the excitement alive and ensured that training was firmly incorporated into teachers' daily…

Shares the author's experiences of how she changed as a teacher throughout her teaching career. Discusses the importance of teachers becoming learners along with their students who question and wonder with inquisitive minds. (MG)

Discusses the importance of philosophy of education in elementary education, arguing that philosophical reflection by teachers affects educational reasoning, thus strengthening curriculum development and teacher practice. Five contributions that philosophy of education can make to teacher development are described. (SM)

Developmental framework identifies four phases in the knowledge and application base for teaching elementary physical education: acquiring a knowledge base; integrating subject areas within the major's knowledge base; applying knowledge; and evaluating teaching experience. The steps influence preservice teachers' teaching abilities so they…

Describes a California beginning-teacher support and assessment program, designed and carried out by a public university and two elementary school districts. discusses program strengths and challenges, changes made based on ongoing feedback and evaluation, and lessons learned during the program's first three years. Providing options and allowing…

Describes a problem-solving-oriented teacher-inservice program designed to provide opportunities that allow elementary teachers to focus on personal experience as a way of achieving self-understanding and a way of reconstructing their personal meanings about problem solving and problem-solving instruction. Concludes that the program had positive…

Considers how in this modern world a teacher masters children's literature for the purpose of guiding selection and literary experiences. Presents three vignettes illustrating different uses of literature today. Discusses a workshop, the Children's Choice and the Teacher's Choice projects. (SG)

Approaches that schools can use to create a high-quality, professional, working community are provided in this journal issue. The report uses a case study to illustrate the process. A review of research reveals at least five major dimensions of the professional learning community: supportive and shared leadership, collective learning and…

A study examined the general nature of the teamwork and beliefs of four "activists" (elementary school teachers in southwestern Michigan who were selected on the basis of their joint efforts to influence county-wide writing curriculum). Data included interviews, field notes, and documents gathered during the set-up and running of a Young…

This study investigated the effects of an intervention--audio-cuing--on teaching behaviors of a male elementary school physical education teacher with five years of teaching experience. The audio-cuing intervention was applied by way of a micro-cassette recorder that was concealed in the teacher's clothing. Cues were prerecorded and could be heard…