Describes "two-point system: which rewards students for having read assigned material before class, but does not penalize those who have not. At the beginning of class, students critique in writing the reading assignment. For each successful critique they receive two points on their next exam. (KC)

Describes a student project which illustrates interrelationships among the topics of random sampling, relative frequency concept of probability, design of experiments, and computer generation of data and which involves determining the configurations of numbers and letters on license plates through a microcomputer program. The computer program is…

Discusses the failure of students with learning disabilities to complete their homework assignments, lists criteria for planning assignments to motivate secondary students, and offers suggestions on procedures and outcomes for inviting students to participate in the assignment completion process. An Assignment Idea Chart is provided. (CR)

Describes unstructured assignments that spark student interest and creativity, and develop skills necessary for coping with the ambiguities of life. (RB)

Suggests that inappropriate book selections, the book report/test syndrome, and ineffective assignments turn students off to reading. Recommends alternative English classroom techniques (reading groups, oral and dramatic activities, writing, and media) to encourage students' enjoyment and appreciation of literature. (SJL)

Children use creative thinking processes when teachers assign ambiguous rather than specific problems. Suggestions for developing questions that encourage experiential and metaphorical thinking are offered. (DF)

Using a "beat list" of school clubs and classes proves helpful in motivating and organizing student newspaper staffs to report school news. (RL)

Creative ways to motivate students to read and report on books include having them retell the stories differently, invent products related to the stories, share snacks like those the characters ate, illustrate action from the story, write imaginary conversations between themselves and the characters, and turn the stories into short skits. (SM)

Describes a technique used to motivate students to complete assigned journal readings in a college psychology course. Maintains that students completing readings receive two types of tangible benefits: (1) extra course credit and (2) use of their notecards on tests. Asserts that students responded favorably to the technique. (CFR)

This checklist, designed to help elementary school teachers assess why a student is unable to complete a classroom assignment, lists criteria grouped under physical, academic, perceptual, behavioral, and motor factors. Compensatory actions such as adapting the classroom environment or referring the student for further evaluation are suggested. (CB)

Guidelines are presented to assist special educators in implementing homework practices. They include determining the amount of homework, deciding on the content of homework, selecting the type of homework, explaining homework to students, assisting students with their homework, motivating students to complete homework, evaluating homework, and…

Suggests that developmental writing courses that emphasize transactional writing with assignments directly related to general education courses increase the motivation of students to take the developmental writing assignments seriously, realize that writing skills contribute to academic success, and transfer these writing skills to the written…

Reflecting on the partnership that exists between teachers and students, this resource guide provides a glimpse into the experiences of educators who reflect on their own teaching and learning about writing. The resource guide is part of the "Student Expressions" series, whose aim is to provide a forum for celebrating the writing of…

This paper discusses the Pony Express and offers the use of anecdotes as a way to make history more interesting to students. Along with facts about the Pony Express, there are activities for writing projects for enrichment purposes. Activities include: (1) letter writing; (2) news releases; and (3) diary writing. Suggestions are made for similar…

Forty different forms which can be used for written communication with upper elementary and secondary students are presented in a reproducible format. The forms were created to fill a need for providing students at these levels with motivational notes. Drawings and messages based on a variety of themes are used to make the notes interesting.…