A discussion of the connections between mathematics, language, and second language acquisition focuses on four major areas: (1) the nature of mathematical performance, (2) the language of mathematics, (3) problems that mathematics poses for limited-English-proficient (LEP) children learning English as a second language, and (4) mathematics as a…

The 13 articles in this information packet are intended to assist individuals involved in developing plans to improve student thinking within a school or a school district. The topics discussed include (1) the need to improve student thinking, (2) obstacles that stand in the way of teaching thinking skills, (3) practical approaches to improving…

Many students have difficulty in science because they are passive readers, readers who receive information without understanding. Passive readers begin reading assignments without thinking about the subject. Their counterparts, known as active readers, interact with text to construct meaning. They make predictions, ask questions, generate…

Metacognitive knowledge is the concern of this paper; specifically children's knowledge of factors, such as their ability and effort, which affect their performance and their awareness of the integration of these factors. How a young child's familarity with his or her own mind might facilitate reasoning competence with respect to aspects--such as…

Describes the Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Program, which replaces drill and practice with thinking skills activities for grades three through six. The HOTS curriculum, which is built around commercially available software, is reviewed; special teaching techniques that emphasize teacher-student dialog are presented; and benefits for at-risk…

Describes a prototypical adjunct reading program which was used for two summers with high-risk students about to enter a private, medium-sized university. The program, "Strategies for Learning," provides instruction in 14 specific strategies for comprehending college texts, understanding course syllabi, taking notes, and organizing…

Discusses some recent research dealing with the enhancement of an individual's capacity for acquiring and using information through direct instruction and training in appropriate information processing strategies. Describes a learning strategy system known as MURDER, and relates its use to the learning of scientific and technical material. (TW)

Feelings of helplessness can impact on learning to read. This research review illustrates problems in assessing learned helplessness, including instrumentation inadequacies, lack of comprehensive causal schemes, context specificity, etc. Observations of and discussions with the child are recommended in the assessment process. Guidelines for…

A self-assessment unit developed to encourage accuracy in English as second language teaches adult students to: determine and assess the cost of errors in their native language; develop sensitivity toward errors in their native language; and focus on accuracy in speaking and writing. (Author/CB)

Presents five articles devoted to multimodal theory, research, and practice. Topics include cognitive intervention, the effects of counseling on classroom performance, motivating student attendance with friendship groups, multimodal self management for college students, and a case study describing child adolescent multimodal therapy. (JAC)

This digest discusses using strategy instruction to assist students with learning disabilities. It begins by describing strategy instruction as teaching students about strategies, teaching them how and when to use strategies, helping students identify personally effective strategies, and encouraging students to make strategic behaviors part of…

Although middle and high school teachers rightfully view the teaching of subject-area content as their primary responsibility, there is an increasing recognition that they must also play an active role in ensuring that students are not left behind because of reading problems. This report emphasizes that middle and high school teachers do not need…

Noting that comprehension instruction is widely recognized as an essential component of developing students' pleasure and profit from reading, this book presents 25 essays on comprehension instruction that summarize current research and provide best-practice guidelines for teachers and teacher educators. Each chapter in the book presents key…

This document is an update of Focus on Research: A Guide to Developing Students' Research Skills (Alberta Education, 1990). Focus on Research was developed in response to suggestions from Alberta teachers during the implementation of Focus on Learning: an Integrated Program Model for Alberta School Libraries (Alberta Education, 1985). …

This action research project report described a program for enhancing thinking skills to improve the problem-solving and decision making of primary school students. Participating were 25 second and 22 third graders in regular education classrooms, but including students with special needs, located in two small middle class communities in central…