This qualitative case study, conducted in the Midwestern United States, explored the perceptions of teachers at two different elementary schools as they implemented a physical activity program during the school day. The program engaged students in daily physical activity through brief, organized, structured physical exercise. Interviews and…

The dimensions of group leadership and group interaction were investigated using fourth grade students. (JMB)

Describes the PowerKids Cadre, a governance committee of fourth graders at a school belonging to the Accelerated Schools Network. Highlights the spirit of school reform that permeates the school community, which has made a long-term commitment to change. (SK)

Overwhelmed by an unending stream of middle school offenders referred to his office, a new vice-principal decided to abandon his solitary shamanship and seek staff assistance. The result--a trained, 16-member student leadership group (assisted by faculty advisers) to orient other students and teachers to a vastly improved school ethic. (MLH)

A program at the Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center in Boston (Massachusetts) supplements the traditional program of ropes and rocks with community service, giving urban students opportunities to try out new leadership skills in local neighborhoods. (MLF)

A study examined how to increase active participation in a language arts class, based on the belief that such an increase would lead to better test scores and better learning. Subjects included a class of 30 homogeneously grouped accelerated sixth grade students, which meets five days a week for 90-minute periods. During the study, the class was…

Reviews research concerning the relationship between reading achievement and student leadership. (FL)

Dissatisfied with their present parent-teacher conference format, an Iowa middle school perused the literature on student-led conferences and established three program implementation phases: initial preparations, conferences, and evaluations. Students selected portfolio items, decided what to discuss with parents, and rehearsed the conference…

The Playground Leader program at Wells Elementary School provides an opportunity for trained students to direct structured small and large group activity stations during recess. Fourth graders are leaders in the setting described in this document, but older students could be trained in other school settings. The playground leaders are chosen…

Since students possess intimate knowledge about their academic progress, they should be invited to participate in, or even lead, parent-teacher conferences. Interested middle schools should consider piloting their models, focus on the conference model process, have students identify personal goals, clearly define participants' roles, and evaluate…

Project Promise, designed to provide leadership opportunities to middle school students from low socioeconomic environments, supplemented in-school curricular options with a home visitor. The home visitor served as a liaison between students' families and the school and assisted families in obtaining social services and information about career…

Activities and exercises to enhance student leadership are included in this curriculum guide for middle-level student leaders and their advisors. Because students in intermediate grades are not "little high school students," this separate leadership curriculum guide for middle-level student leaders was developed. Although the achieved skills are…

Asserts that students can make sound decisions regarding educational change. Discusses the shift from adult to student-led decision making in a California middle school's student council program. Describes activities organized by the student council and the resulting growth of student responsibility. (CFR)

Student leadership is a critical aspect of all middle level and senior high school experiences. Involving students in the workings of the school can mean the difference for them between a mediocre school experience and an exceptional one. This retreat manual is a resource guide for student advisors who wish to develop retreat programs in their…

An investigation was conducted to determine how fifth graders with prior experience in student-led literature discussions assisted peers familiar with teacher-led discussions in basal reading programs. Tapes, observations, and writings of students indicated that students quickly adopted leadership roles, interacted, and helped one another conduct…