Describes the process through which a multiracial, urban elementary class of remedial students adapted the children's story, "Dr. DeSoto," for an in-class presentation. Expands on this example to discuss the role of drama in language, cognitive development, and problem solving. Includes extensive transcripts of the children's…

Describes the procedures, preparation, and background material necessary for a class to produce an updated version of a living newspaper puppet play. These plays, originally produced by the Federal Theater Project, took a strong editorial position while examining and satirizing political issues. (MJP)

Maintains that teachers can develop a drama skit known as "el acto" for studying Hispanic American history and contemporary themes. Discusses the history of this dramatic form and how it has been used in the schools. Presents a seven-step set of procedures for implementing and evaluating this classroom technique in the classroom. (CFR)

Learning can occur in a natural way when parents serve as models to their child, demonstrating how to learn, facilitating the learning process, and guiding the learner. With a teacher's guidance, parents can improve their understanding of their child's learning. Teachers can encourage parents to share wordless picture books, books with predictable…

This practicum was designed to develop learning experiences for teachers which would improve their ability to be accountable for children's progress in play-oriented educational programs. The primary objective was to increase teachers' competence with regard to knowledge about play, and their skill in assessing and reporting developmental progress…

The first part of this paper on the developmental consequences of children's exposure to chronic violence provides background information on the problem of violence. Developmental consequences of exposure to domestic and community violence for children at various developmental levels are briefly outlined. Consequences for children include: (1)…

Originally developed as part of a project for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on classroom drama as an instructional tool is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes an overview of the project; a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a…

The Bibliotherapy Project is historically reviewed in connection with the staff personnel, main activities and achievements. Two Bibliotherapists present their views of the group sessions. They discuss physical facilities, therapeutic procedures and atmosphere, roles of therapist, group interaction, and other factors conducive to successful…

This document consists of four issues of a quarterly newsletter for educators at the elementary school level. Each issue features two articles and a column by an ACEI Executive Board vice president. The Fall 2000 issue features an article on reducing the amount of teacher control in elementary school learning centers, thereby providing benefits…

The role of sociodramatic play in children's cognitive, social, and physical development is discussed, drawing on observations of work with parents and their children ages 3-5. The paper focuses on the way the teachers guided and facilitated play taking cues from the children. A training session was provided to the parents on ways to play with…

Arranged in three sections, the book offers practical techniques for introducing environmental education at the secondary level. The first section, on planning, outlines a conceptual framework for environmental education, discusses development of school policy on environmental education, provides approaches to controversial and values issues,…

Theoretical correspondences between the language and play development of young children and developmental aspects of play and speech are discussed prior to a report of a study comparing categories of cognitive complexity nested within social categories of solitary play and self speech. Participants were 36 preschool boys and girls approximately…

Designed as a resource and curriculum guide for early childhood educators, this publication encompasses both American Indian sociocultural background and culture based lesson plans and activities. Indicative of its organization and scope are the comprehensive chapters devoted to discussions of: (1) the historical failure of Indian education; (2)…

This book provides practical, everyday activities to weave language development and early literacy activities into the daily schedule in an early childhood education program. The chapters are organized by areas common in most early childhood environments: (1) circle time; (2) snack time; (3) dramatic play; (4) outdoor play; (5) art; (6) sand and…

Goals of block building in early childhood classrooms focus on physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development. Reports survey results of the value teachers place on block play. Offers illustrations of task cards to use with blocks in math, language arts, social studies, and science. Discusses guidelines and suggests idea cards and sentence…