This article describes what happened when Palm Pilots were given to 28 sixth-graders, 6 with special needs. Students preferred using the Palm Pilot to a traditional notebook for recording assignments and used the Palm Pilots to access spelling lists and to check math and spelling. (Contains references.) (CR)

Describes a Science Activities Contract program. Students agree to do four activities at home, and their parents agree to encourage and supervise the children in completing the activities. (PR)

This report describes a program for improving the completion of homework assignments in a seventh-grade mathematics classroom in a large middle school in Rockford (Illinois). The problem of missing homework was noted by the mathematics teacher and confirmed by the other teachers on the seventh-grade team. Analysis of the probable-cause data…

The middle school years can be important for developing student attitudes about learning, school, and careers. However, it is often difficult to involve parents in working with middle schools to help adolescents form positive attitudes toward school and science. This exploratory study investigates a method of potentially having all of a teacher's…

Discussed is the influence of mathematics textbooks on the sequence and amount of mathematics taught in middle grades. An alternative method of organizing mathematics instruction is proposed. The issue of homework is addressed. (KR)

A survey of the parents at a middle school in central Florida indicated that parents believed homework should contribute to the student's grade and that 47% of the respondents felt that mathematics should have daily homework. Based on these results, a study was conducted to determine the effects of implementing an innovative automated…

Designed to help teachers promote a teacher-parent partnership process, this manual describes the Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) program in language arts, science, and health. The manual covers the TIPS Interactive Homework Process, focusing on overcoming obstacles, TIPS activities, the process of informing parents, and students'…

For as long as people have walked the Earth, they have looked to the stars, have been inspired by their beauty and remoteness and have found their way over sea and deserts by their guidance. Since then, enormous progress has been made in the understanding of the stars, and today the expanding and fascinating world of high-energy astronomy awaits…

The Families in Education Program of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has existed since 1987 to increase awareness of the need for schools to involve parents as partners in the education of their children. This parents' and teachers' guide presents ways that the theme for American Education Week, "Teaching Children To Think and…

One of the tragedies of American education is that so many teachers do not understand or are unaware of educational issues and how they impact on their profession. There is a gap between teacher perceptions and reality and this book is a first step in closing that gap. Hot-Button Issues for Teachers is a timely, comprehensive book that addresses…

This book provides teachers with practical information for managing their work both in and out of the classroom. Highlights include advice on more than 80 subjects, book suggestions and games for the classroom, suggestions to help veteran teachers stay motivated and avoid burnout, and tips for new teachers on the first day and first week of school…