The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the extent to which the relation between teacher reported (N = 26) teaching efficacy and observations of classroom quality varied as a function of a specific classroom characteristic, classroom adversity, a measure of classroom level hardship that includes factors such as student challenges with…

Presented are ideas for small, inexpensive, often portable "mini" learning centers covering many elementary school subjects. The minicenters are designed for containment in boxes and bags or on art easels. (SJL)

Three substitute teachers give six suggestions for making substitute teachers feel more welcome, more effective, and more useful. (MT)

Briefly describes three new research studies focusing on the following aspects of teaching: planning, standardized tests, and teacher observation. (CM)

TWENTY-SEVEN STUDIES ON INTERCLASS GROUPING AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL ARE SUMMARIZED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE SUMMARY IS NEITHER EXHAUSTIVE NOR DELIBERATELY SLANTED. STUDIES POORLY DONE IN TERMS OF SAMPLE OR TREATMENT WERE NOT INCLUDED. THE STUDIES ARE GROUPED ACCORDING TO TWO QUESTIONS--(1) IS ACHIEVEMENT INCREASED BY GROUPING AND (2) ARE…

This paper presents the results of a two-part study that investigated classroom seating design preferences among elementary classroom teachers. In part one, the researchers mapped and classified seating arrangements that were in actual use across 294 regular classrooms (grades K-5) in 21 public elementary schools. Subsequently, the researchers…

Last month the authors discussed how teachers can learn to identify their students' individual learning styles (EJ 527 074). This article uses that information to create a new and exciting classroom in ten easy steps. (Author/RK)

The TASK (Team Approach for Special Kids) approach is a model for special service delivery in which services become part of the disabled student's classroom work rather than provided in "pull-out" fashion. TASK promotes clustering of student objectives, self esteem, and healthy peer relationships. (CL)

The scheduling model presented is designed to use an Extension Center to reduce the size of teaching groups, curtail the flow of students in and out of classrooms for support services and provide on a rotating basis an observation/evaluation period for resource teachers. (Author/CL)

Examines three important dimensions of instruction (instructional format, grouping arrangement, and the cognitive complexity of the task) that have important resource allocatable functions within the classroom. (Author/IRT)

Describes a day at the Bennett Park Montessori School in Buffalo, New York. Interviews the school's director and one of the teachers. Discusses Maria Montessori's ideas and their application at Bennett Park. (BJV)

Individually Guided Education (IGE) is an alternative to the traditional age-graded form of elementary schooling. In a typical IGE school, the principal shares her/his authority with leaders of units in decision-making domains and reaches decision by consensus. The leader of a unit in turn shares his/her authority with unit teachers in making…

An elementary school teacher of gifted, creative, talented, and high ability students describes her efforts to individualize classroom instruction by developing learning centers and individualized learning materials. A Learning Agreement is used for personal planning of students' daily activities. Other classroom components are journal writing,…

It is suggested that a stimulating environment, rich with color, relaxed in mood, and imaginative in arrangement, will produce a favorable effect on the child's senses and hopefully create an attitude that will be favorable toward learning. (Author)