Intended for administrators and policymakers as well as teachers, this digest examines invented spelling, describes the developmental stages of learning how to spell, and considers implications for classroom instruction. After defining invented spelling, the digest describes the precommunicative, semiphonetic, phonetic, transitional, and correct…

Discusses Piaget's pre-operational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages and shows how this information sheds light on how children approach computers and computing, particularly with the LOGO programming language. (JN)

Describes a districtwide thinking skills program developed by teachers in an Illinois elementary school. (MD)

This article describes sensory input systems and reflexes that are critical to normal functioning and explains some commonly used techniques for evaluating neurological development. Skillful use of evaluation and intervention techniques can help neurologically developmentally delayed children reach mature performance levels. (MT)

This article discusses what play is, why teachers of students with disabilities should be interested in it, how it can be a useful tool in the elementary school classroom, and its beneficial effects in the context of the family. The sequential development of play activities is outlined, and two scales are presented for assessing play development.…

A category system for organizing six thinking skills and methods for teaching these skills, using the concept of time, are provided. Representing a proposed sequential order of development, the six thinking skills are: (1) imaging--the creating of an internal mental representation of an external thing and the labeling of that representation, (2)…

This book presents activities to help elementary school teachers show their students that physical activity can be meaningful and fun. Focused on skill development and fitness rather than competition, these activities take a progressive, developmentally centered approach that will help teachers meet a range of individual needs so that every…

Presents three activities for teaching spelling to students in grades 2-6 using individualized weekly spelling lists made up of developmentally appropriate words. (SM)

Argues that James Moffett's influential model of a young writer's development is flawed, because it depicts beginning writers as being far more limited than they are. (HTH)

This document gives parents, teachers, and others basic information and suggested guidelines for teaching children aged 10 and younger about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). These topics concerning AIDS and young children are discussed: (1) talking with young children about AIDS; (2) things to keep in mind when talking with children,…

The purpose of this paper is to increase teachers' understanding of children's conceptualizations of death to enable them to respond to the symptoms of grief in both early and middle childhood. John Bowlby's theoretical framework of childhood mourning is elaborated, and research on teachers' facilitation of children's grief is briefly noted. The…

Teaching strategies to help elementary social studies teachers teach distributive justice--i.e., fair sharing of available resources--are provided. Also described are the approximate age levels and the different levels of reasoning associated with distributive justice. (RM)

This conference paper focuses on how to motivate elementary students toward NASPE standards. It includes integrated physical education lesson plans based on the the NASPE standards and provides tips for assessment. (AD)

Spelling instruction for students with deafness is examined in the context of the whole-language approach. Stages in the development of spelling ability are identified, and five strategies for young writers are suggested. (DB)

This health and human development curriculum for grades 1-6 contains tips for teachers and overviews of the philosophy behind teaching these topics to elementary school students. The section on health education is structured around ten content strands: (1) health knowledge, attitudes, decisions, and behavior; (2) emotional and social health; (3)…