This paper summarizes research conducted to assess how and to what extent teachers actively use and manipulate the physical classroom learning environment as part of their instructional design. A structured interview and participant observation were used to gather data from several teachers at all grade levels, including national board certified…

This three-part guide explains to elementary teachers how to recruit, train, and effectively use aides and volunteers in the classroom. (SJL)

Suggests techniques for making the art period a creative rather than mundane experience for high school students. Included are hints on beginning the class, preparing materials, conducting the lesson, ending the class, assigning homework, and communicating with students. (SJL)

Gives the classroom teacher guidelines which may help in recognizing the child with a hearing problem and lists a few techniques for accommodating the hard of hearing child in the regular classroom. (SJL)

Suggests some ways that art teachers can organize their classrooms and adapt their teaching methods in order to accommodate mainstreamed handicapped students. This article is part of a theme issue on art education for special needs students. (SJL)

Studied six northern California high schools implementing various educational reforms involving alternative organizational structures, and how their facilities helped or hindered their implementation. (EV)

Presents suggestions for setting up a classroom that is organized, efficient, and welcoming, focusing on the following elements: the conference table, individual work trays, flower arrangements, a small rug area, paper files, folder storage, book bags, reading baskets, the teacher's chair and easel, a meeting area, and low-level tables. (SM)

In the days before computers, passing on information to substitutes was difficult. Now teachers can individualize their lesson plans to guarantee that substitute teachers and the students will both have a good day. This article provides some plan-ahead procedures that have worked for the author.

This study was designed to examine the effects of adults' labeling and use of social groups on preschool children's intergroup attitudes. Children (N=87, aged 3-5) attending day care were given measures of classification skill and self-esteem and assigned to membership in a novel ("red" or "blue") social group. In experimental classrooms, teachers…

This article provides an evaluation of the rationale for, and impact of, setting with English classes in the second year of secondary school in one Scottish authority. The Council's education department has a long-standing policy of mixed-ability classes in English for the first two years of secondary school (S2). A number of schools approached…

This paper examines some intersections among school literacy events and practices, identity formation, and the institutional practice known in the US as tracking. During a year-long, critical ethnographic study to examine how a team-taught, interdisciplinary curriculum impacted the development of students' literacies, it was found that not only…

Advice, activities, and techniques for getting the first days and weeks of school off to a smooth start are offered in this compilation of six articles taken from issues of "Instructor" (Aug.-Sep. 1976, Aug. 1980, Aug. 1982, Aug. 1983), "Learning" (Sept. 1982), and "Teacher" (Sept. 1979), magazines. Suggestions for…

Discussed a 1974 research study in which student achievement in two different school environments was measured to see how it affected the development of creativity. (RK)

In order to ascertain students' preferences for the number of times a class should meet each week, 375 questionnaires administered to students during the 1989 summer session at Cuyahoga Community College, Western Campus (Ohio) were evaluated. Results indicated that 49% of respondents preferred classes meeting twice each week, and 29% preferred…