A structure for a class using the inquiry or problem-solving method of teaching is presented to maximize interaction between the members of the class. This structure involves geographic concepts of orientation, distance, shape and size of group. (Author)

A summary with examples of the use of the environment in the teaching of mathematics in British elementary schools. (MM)

Describes how 18 teachers (in Wayland, Massachusetts), working with students at a variety of reading levels in third through sixth grades, taught reading via paperback books. (SW)

Discussing research on the effects of developmental differences, task characteristics, teacher feedback, and classroom management and organization on children's perceptions of their abilities, this article speculates on whether and how these perceptions influence children's behavior. (Implications of this research for classroom practice are also…

Recounts how observation of children who were just beginning to write convinced a teacher that very young children can write, and thus changed the way she taught. (JL)

Describes a child-centered reading program for a group of 10- to 11-year-old reluctant readers. (JL)

A student teacher describes his experiment to foster experiential learning in a secondary sociology class by allowing the students to determine their own classroom society and teaching and evaluation methods. He also describes the unfavorable reaction of his cooperating teacher. (NEC)

Reports a survey of nine northern Illinois high schools on provisions for retarded readers. Information is presented on course structures, admission policies, grading, class management, and instructional materials. Conclusions are drawn about criteria for a successful high school remedial reading program. (SJL)

Describes a five-phase management procedure for activity-based science programs: teacher/student preparation, pre-activity discussion, distribution of materials, experimentation, and discussion and clean-up. Suggests that the classroom will be less restrictive but with enough organization and structure to maintain order during activities. (SK)

Reports a study of the teaching of basic reading skills in secondary schools. Through systematic observations of classrooms, several key variables were identified which related to reading gains measured by the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills. Several administrative practices important to successful remedial reading programs are also delineated.…

This article examines some British classroom studies and raises further research questions on small group instruction (SGI) as a teaching tool. Considered are teachers' use of SGI; its efficacy for cognitive, language, and social development; and student-to-student interaction patterns in relation to seating, sex, and ability mix. (SJL)

The authors sought evidence of two basic elements of the "new" social studies programs: reliance on multimedia approaches and flexible grouping for specified tasks. Although some bright spots were evidenced, social studies in the typical middle-grade classrooms surveyed consisted of whole-class instruction with one basic text.…

The Learning Preference Scale-Students (LPSS) was developed with 1,643 Sydney, Australia, pupils. Internal consistency, test-retest stability, subscale intercorrelations, and factor analysis show that the LPSS has considerable promise as a valid and reliable instrument. Results showed clear and significant sex differences in preferences for grades…