Uses a diary format to describe the author's development as a teacher between May 1982 and Spring 1993, focusing on personal experiences affecting her delivery of composition and literature courses. Describes the author's shift from a text-centered to a student-centered curriculum and efforts to include women writers in the curriculum. Includes…

Describes nontraditional, creative teaching methods that celebrate differences among students. Contrasts these classrooms with programs that force teachers and learners into mediocre sameness using teacher-proof approaches that have been proven wrong for both teachers and learners. Uses personal examples from kindergarten and first-grade…

Addresses six environmental variables that can influence the behaviors of young children with disabilities: theoretical orientation of the program, amount of space available, classroom arrangement, length of the play period, effects of social vs. isolate toys, and the effects of different quantities of toys. (Author/CR)

Explores the use of cluster programs as alternatives to the curricular core or distributional requirements for organizing general education. Uses a case study methodology to evaluate the planning processes utilized in curriculum development for a cluster program, where faculty must plan simultaneously at individual course, cluster or sequence, and…

This article examines cluster grouping as a viable option for meeting the needs of gifted and talented students. It also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of cluster grouping from the perspective of conclusions obtained through the implementation of cluster grouping in an elementary school district. (Contains references.) (CR)

Describes the process and preparation for making teacher-requested changes at Notre Dame High School (New Jersey). Narrates the planning that went into making the change to block scheduling, which includes an activity period and double-period class schedule, and discusses the impact of that change on in-service preparation for teachers. Concludes…

The author shares three strategies to increase student participation in class discussions. These can be easily applied to any science content area and have proven to be effective in stimulating student participation by allowing students to communicate their ideas and consider alternative explanations using nontraditional classroom arrangements.…

This research investigated social and academic outcomes from single-sex classrooms in a Tasmanian coeducational government primary school. Interviews, observations and surveys formed the basis of the evidence. Teachers, parents and children reported positive benefits from the class organisation, but these differed according to gender. Staff…

Containing many specific assessment, instruction, and organization ideas and strategies, this book provides "the basics" for this classroom reading assessment and instruction, and supports the importance of the individual classroom teacher's beliefs, decisions, and role. The book is intended for teachers taking certification, graduate,…

This workshop, designed for Chapter 1 compensatory education teachers, administrators, and staff, offers alternatives to the widespread use of worksheets. Four strategies for alternative classroom methods are explored: cooperative learning, peer tutoring, reciprocal teaching, and theme-based instruction. The following elements are included in the…

Lesson planning can be divided into three types--content, process, and context. Each type helps to organize classroom activities, and together they establish the ambiance of the learners' journey. Content plans focus on information students should know. Instructional strategies designed to introduce or elaborate the content presentation should be…

This study uses data from 171 teachers at eight inner-city elementary and middle schools in Baltimore to examine general patterns and connections between teacher attitudes about parent involvement, school programs, and the actual practices that teachers use. These patterns are examined at different academic levels, in different academic subjects,…

In response to criticism of methods courses, this paper takes the position that the development of a body of knowledge concerning professional practices is central to the education of professional teachers. Focusing on the complexity of the teaching situation, a discussion is presented on the importance of mastering methods and models of teaching.…

The implementation and evaluation of the effects of a seven-period day on students and teachers, especially on student achievement, is the purpose of this study. A three-part methodology includes two applications of the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) to teachers; administration of the School Attitude Survey (SAS) to students and teachers;…

The paper is a description of how one teacher structured a classroom for five seriously disturbed violent boys (ages 5.5 to 8 years) at a private residential and day school for emotionally disturbed students. Anecdotes are reported as well as the teacher's reflections. Changes in the teacher's original planned class structure while maintaining the…