Describes methods for helping students to overcome their inhibitions in social studies role-playing exercises. Techniques include warm-up exercises, side-coaching, and structured improvisation. (AM)

Explores the use of simulations as a teaching method for gifted students. Identifies positive effects of simulations and distinguishes different types. Notes disadvantages related to time, money, and experience as are unique features of the teacher's role in this approach to instruction. Lists guidelines for choosing a model and deciding on a…

Simulations allow active student participation in learning. In assigned character roles, students experience real-life situations, using their knowledge and skill to experiment in new situations. Simulations promote advanced thinking and problem solving across subject areas. Teachers must be facilitator, organizers, and managers of learning…

Ways in which teachers can help students face situations that make them tense, anxious, or fearful are suggested, including self-affirmation, relaxation techniques, problem solving, and role playing. (CB)

Examines the current practices and possibilities of using the teaching-in-role strategy (where the teacher takes on a fictional role for educational purposes) through a survey of professional youth theaters. Finds that, of 38 programs that responded, all indicated having an educational program with several characteristics compatible with…

Sociodramatic play, which combines role play and dramatization, is suitable for elementary and secondary language classrooms. It is learner centered and caters to varying language abilities. Children draw upon their existing experiences as the basis for their play. Teacher input is essential. The paper examines advantages and disadvantages of this…

The article provides step-by-step procedures for teaching learning-disabled students how to ask for teacher help. Procedures involve role playing a classroom situation as it had occurred, modeling a situation for problem resolution, role playing again, analyzing and synthesizing the modeling situation, and applying these steps to other classroom…

This study gives counselors some "cook-book" instructions in techniques of working with groups of teachers to give the latter explicit and detailed instructions for the use of role playing with their students. Role playing is described as a minimally threatening and maximally familiar way to increase students' understanding and acceptance of the…

Discusses a "debate" model using role-playing to develop a workable and compatible educational philosophy in which board members, administrators, and teachers can arrive at a statement of mutual agreement on educational goals, performance standards, and evaluation systems which are related to learning expectations. (JD)

Constructive controversy has many benefits in the classroom. The benefits of constructive controversy, however, depend on the way the teacher structures the controversy, the skill level of the students, and the materials and resources available. The controversy model involves eight steps: (1) introducing the controversy; (2) assigning groups and…

Maintains that group work is an integral part of the California History-Social Science Framework's three central goals. Reviews research studies on the effectiveness of small group instruction. Discusses teacher role, factors that affect interaction, student characteristics, and teaching methods associated with effective group instruction. (CFR)

While most of the existing literature on attribution retraining focuses on children's attributions for academic or achievement related tasks, teachers' attribution styles also are an important target for modification. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a 1-day training workshop designed to significantly alter teachers'…

This practical handbook for teachers of all levels and subject areas compares different approaches to values education. The book begins with a discussion of the role of values education in schools. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 define values and values systems, discuss the origin and development of children's values, and examine the role of the teacher in…

This practical and theoretical guide to the use of theater arts in foreign language teaching contains exercises, techniques, and fundamental theory for teachers at all levels of foreign language instruction, but particularly for those teaching adults and adolescents at intermediate or higher levels. An introductory section outlines common…

This book explores alternative strategies in teaching and learning, offering an expose of how to interpret curriculum, prepare lessons, construct lesson plans, present lessons effectively, develop teacher-student relationships, and appraise lessons constructively before and after presentation. The book highlights the importance of pedagogical…