In this article teachers worked with children in order to develop a sense of community. (RK)

The importance of thinking suggests the need for learning activities which promote this ability of man if he is not to be totally dependent as a learner and a thinker. Four examples of the kinds of activities which might stimulate student thought, both intuitively and cognitively, were provided. (Author/RK)

Teachers and principals need help in combating antisocial behaviors in the classroom. This book shares the key components of "Essential Character Discipline," a positive behavior program designed to help students learn integrity, courtesy, loyalty, respect, perseverance, honor, and self control. The book contains the tools needed to…

This paper presents an overview of interventions that schools can use to enhance the psychological and social development of children in a desegregated school environment. Five remedies, designed to meet children's psychological needs in desegregated schools, are first defined and then analyzed for specific interventions appropriate at the school…

Games and dramatic activities can help students explore their personal responses to literary works.

Designed for teachers of kindergarten through grade 6, this book contains practical and innovative ideas on fostering literacy generated from discussions with teachers from the United States and Canada, visits to their classrooms, and observations of their interactions with students. The book addresses all levels of learner-centered literacy…

A developmental model for collaborative learning at the college level, based on the notion of the development of expertise, is outlined. Five stages are described: (1) the learning of rules, techniques, and strategies; (2) applying the techniques and strategies to the particular teaching context; (3) developing competence; (4) becoming proficient;…

A high school teacher of language and reading in a school for the deaf shares her growth in developing her own writing workshop model. Stressed are the importance of trust, of modeling, and of students and teachers making learning their own. (DB)

This paper suggests that vocabulary knowledge is closely related to the background knowledge required for reading a text. It suggests ways in which the reading teacher can select objectives for pupils to achieve in the area of vocabulary development, emphasizing what is relevant and functional. The paper makes the following recommendations:…

Roller skates and fairy tales, Big Macs and snowflakes all blend with the curriculum to bring back the good old, brand-new "funner" class setting. (Editor)

Presents results of a study comparing student class size preferences among first-year college students and upper-division students. Reports that first-year students prefer small classes and upper division students prefer large classes. Concludes that experience in larger classes results in a stronger preference toward the large classes. Urges…

This paper reports on two studies, one quantitative and the other qualitative, on the effectiveness and influence of Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) at the University of Washington. A quantitative panel study compared 442 freshmen participating in 21 FIGs with 1818 non-participating freshmen. Findings indicated that the FIG program provided a…

This Digest recounts the varied experiences, for both elementary school students and teachers, of producing a classroom newspaper. In the particular instance discussed in the Digest, for the students, it was a chance to collaborate with their peers, to pursue their own special interests, and to see their work published. For the teacher-adviser, it…

This book provides many diverse ideas for creating a learning environment that is alive with discovery and discussion, but peaceful and respectful, too. The book offers activities and practices from classrooms all over the United States that focus on year-long practices that promote a sense of community: 20-minute class meetings, effective…

Discusses how some behavioristic techniques can increase humanism in schools. Describes activities to enhance students' active participation in the self-actualization process, including using behavioral objectives, evaluation, and grading. Defines classroom application of behavioral principles and suggests they encourage a humanistic environment.…