A teacher explains her technique for ensuring that her remedial reading students are following the text as she reads aloud to them. (SJL)

This article presents 15 activities designed to motivate students to engage in creative writing. Also given are ideas on how to reinforce and maintain student interest in writing. (IAH)

Students learn about economics through two short stories dealing with wages and credit. Questions are offered to help students understand the economics concepts. (DF)

Ideas for art and drama projects that will help students celebrate the meaning of December traditions and feasts are offered in this article. (DF)

Ideas for teaching children about creativity and its importance are offered in this article. Ingredients for developing creativity skills are presented and suggested projects are discussed. (DF)

Argues that schools should resist, not welcome, becoming responsible for remediating community and personal failings in such areas as sex education, optimal development of the whole child, student motivation, ethnic identity, religious observances, and psychotherapy. (RH)

In separate articles under the same title, both authors stress the importance of students' feelings of self-esteem and well-being in the classroom. The frequency of interaction with teachers, which directly influences self-esteem, diminishes as children move toward ninth grade while attitude toward school and school subjects becomes increasingly…

Green Elementary School (MI) is recognized as an outstanding school. Community involvement, including an active core of parent volunteers, contributes to the school's success. Several school activities are outlined: school-wide themes, theatrical performances, and activities to enhance staff harmony. (IAH)

Gifted children often encounter problems both during school and after graduation. Due to their above average abilities, they often feel that the world will bend to accommodate them. Suggestions for helping the bright child prepare for life after school are offered. (DF)

Presented are activities and teaching strategies designed to make history real to students, to develop in them, first, a sense of personal involvement with the past, and second, a time-sense and historical perspective. Suggestions include use of biography, historical fiction, oral history, genealogy, role playing, and time-lines. (Author/SJL)

Presents innovative, multiple intelligence math practices that can boost student learning and promote fun in the classroom. Suggestions include doing picture book math, working on open-ended problems, doing math all day and everywhere, and working on cooperative group math. (SM)

In an interview, Amitai Etzioni, a social scientist and director of the Center for Policy Research at George Washington University, discusses his ideas for stronger schools, at the heart of which are self-motivated students who are self-disciplined and responsible. (JMK)

Ways to keep children's minds on school as summer approaches include: (1) saving exciting topics or student projects for the last weeks of school; (2) going outside for activities that take advantage of the weather; (3) building finish-up stations where pupils can complete last-minute work; and (4) helping children plan summer activities. (PP)

We should not, in the name of "back to basics," regress to the old methodologies of memorization and drill. Computational skills must be thoroughly developed, but mathematics should also be taught in a way that will enhance thinking skills and problem solving in an enjoyable atmosphere. (Author/SJL)