Presents eight points for designing the physical and programmatic environments to prevent discipline problems and support learning in early childhood classrooms. Points relate to designing clearly defined activity areas, providing adequate space, assessing the activity structure throughout the day, following an age-appropriate schedule, and…

Discusses thematic centers in which teachers select a theme and design of several classroom stations on the topic. Describes application of the technique in one Canadian class of six-, seven-, and eight-year olds, many of whom were English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. Identifies characteristics of the technique. (SG)

This article presents a meta-analysis of studies of the effects of special homogeneous classes versus regular heterogeneous classes on achievement and nonachievement outcomes of gifted students. The principal findings indicate that the gifted students in special classes achieved more than their gifted counterparts in regular classes. (Author/IAH)

Examines a traditional group discussion course redesigned to operate via computer-mediated communication. Finds more frequent student contact with instructors, high level of course approval by students, and group output that equaled or excelled that of traditionally taught courses. (MS)

Offers suggestions in the areas of classroom management, instructional strategies, and evaluation to assist in making a smooth transition from the basal to the whole language program. Suggests that gradual implementation allows teachers and students to become confident in using this instructional method. (MG)

Physical education teachers who want to be fair to all students may discover some ways teachers speak or act is discriminatory. Some items that teachers who want to treat students as fairly as possible should consider include class organization, teaching style, teacher-student interaction, teacher language, role models, and equipment. (SM)

This article describes student teachers' strategies for creating communities in special education classrooms that can produce class unity and pride, respect for each other, increased self-esteem, and the learning of life skills. Ways of developing communities while still addressing individual student goals are discussed. (CR)

Classroom management and effective discipline are skills that all beginning teachers must learn. Classroom management refers to those procedures or routines a teacher uses to maintain a smoothly running classroom; discipline refers to those techniques or strategies a teacher uses to respond to specific acts of student misbehavior. This booklet,…

A teacher education seminar, designed to be an egalitarian "community of learners," is critiqued. In an effort to make classroom learning relations more equal, instructors referred to themselves as seminar leaders and sought student participation in the curriculum decision-making process. The most significant consequence of the…

Conducted in 1991, this study surveyed the quality of day care centers in the province of Pavia, Italy, in order to provide a description of the centers and to trace educational patterns in the infant, young toddler, and toddler sections of the centers. The 32 day care centers located in the province employ a staff of 342 and provide 1,700 places…

A class council can collectively decide what components will make up the instructional system in an elementary school class. A class council is a friendly assembly made up of the students and the teacher; it meets to discuss and make decisions about all aspects of the instructional system, including objectives, grading, and materials. Each student…

The book's practical classroom strategies and activities are designed to help teachers individualize instruction for children with developmental ages of 3-7 years. Part I offers suggestions for organizing the special educator's schedule and workload (including such topics as reviewing the individualized education program, developing a weekly…

Classroom management is conceptualized as a set of teacher behaviors and activities that are directed at eliciting study involvement or engagement in classroom activities and preventing disruption. Research on classroom management and discipline is reviewed and integrated into a three phase model. The first phase occurs prior to the beginning of…

Reported on is an analysis of rule systems established in successful elementary school classrooms. The report's first chapter provides an introduction to this verification inquiry, part of a larger study, Ecological Perspectives for Successful Schooling Practice. In chapter 2, the sample, methodology, and data analysis procedures used in the rules…

An annotated bibliography approach was used in this report of a literature review/study designed to determine the effectiveness of learning centers in the classroom and to give classroom teachers a carefully planned system to ensure successful use of learning centers. The first section, which explains the rationale of using learning centers in the…