Research studies show that all students--young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural--benefit immensely from classrooms filled with art, creativity, and laughter. Fun, playfulness, creative thinking, and individual expression reinforce positive experiences, which in turn lead to more engaged students, better classroom environments, and…

While teachers cannot travel back in time to visit their students at earlier ages, they can draw on the rich sets of experiences and knowledge that students bring to classrooms. In her latest book, Catherine Compton-Lilly examines the literacy practices and school trajectories of eight middle school students and their families. Through a unique…

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…

Drawing heavily on the speeches and discussions that took place at a League for Innovation in the Community College conference held late in 1977 in North Carolina, this paper discusses the problem of increasing productivity in community colleges. Although escalating costs and decreasing revenues over the past decade have given the problem of…