One of 13 instructional models developed for use in Detroit's public schools, this course outline describes ten library sessions for teaching seventh and eighth grade students dictionary skills. It is noted that the complete library reference skills program was designed to improve student performance in the Ninth-Grade Objective-Referenced Testing…

By providing definitions of key concepts, outlines of major models, and practical suggestions for classroom implementation, this pamphlet gives teachers access to current research on the interactive model of reading. The topics covered include: Vygotsky's learning theory, metacomprehension, prior knowledge, chapter mapping, cooperative learning,…

Students in college basic writing courses need to consider their own written language and to compare it with other students' work before they can develop a sense of the symbolic relationship between language and experience. Because of a lack of previous writing experience, basic writers have no sense that the "facts" about which they…

Exclusive reliance on objective testing focuses students' attention too narrowly on memorization and rote answers to complex problems. Grades become supreme ends; learning, merely a by-product. Since students learn best when asked to verbalize, analyze, and synthesize their ideas, a grading system was implemented in a social science course at…

An examination was undertaken of a programed-study procedure employing behavior theory concepts in teaching undergraduate course material. Study units were constructed, containing a specific reading assignment and study guide questions. When the student felt himself to be ready, he was given a test. Progress through the course was contingent upon…

The relationships that exist between written compositions of fourth-grade students and various teacher influences were investigated in this study. Relationships examined were those between the student's achievements in composition and (1) his teacher's writing ability, (2) his perception of other students' writing, his classroom, his assignments,…

A case is made for the assigned reading of ancient and modern literary classics, rather than modern essay collections, in college freshman composition classes. The effectiveness of a number of classics used for that purpose for 13 years in the freshman courses at Haverford College is discussed. Classwork in the Haverford program is described, and…

The awesome task of teaching the English novel in one semester at a small college is illustrated and made more feasible in this concise article. A selected group of novels is commented upon specifically, comprising a total volume of more than 4,100 pages of assigned reading. Using the incentive of higher grades, the author provides two other lists…

Discusses a method for involving students in topics so that research evolves from a desire to know. Describes using response group discussion about real life problems to find topics, freewriting loops, and class presentation before and during research. Reports positive atmosphere and interest. (JG)

Decribes one poet's experience in a writing residency in a Brooklyn intermediate school. Discusses collaboration with teachers, and collecting and publishing an anthology of student poems. Comments on the positive atmosphere and teaching philosophy of this particular school. (JG)

This issue of the SERVE magazine discusses using assessment and accountability to improve student learning. Articles include: (1) Can High-Stakes State Testing Be Improved? (Wendy McColskey and Nancy McMunn); (2) Standards of Classroom Practice: Defining a Vision of Quality in the Classroom (Nancy McMunn and Wendy McColskey); (3) Taking a Close…

In this curriculum unit, students will explore fiction writing in three lessons--characterization, setting, and plot. The unit intends for them to learn how to use characterization, dialogue, point of view and other literary devices in fiction writing. Each of the lessons offers an overview; suggests length and grade level; lists subjects and…

This paper describes a preservice health education course for elementary educators that incorporated a technology component to help the students gain computer literacy. All students received instructional computer accounts and had access to a class bulletin board. One class session focused on learning the systems. Throughout the semester, students…

Students at Woodridge Middle School in Peninsula, Ohio, have access to a brand new library which houses more than 10,000 items. This study examined whether students take advantage of the school library and its resources when completing school assignments. A random sample of students in grades six through eight was given a questionnaire to fill out…

Based on James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier's novel "My Brother Sam Is Dead," this lesson plan presents activities designed to help students understand that one way to learn about the past is to read historical novels; and that some people take one side or another in a war or other conflict, and some find themselves caught in the…