Ideas for learning centers that will motivate students include: (1) a "railroad station" for reading groups; (2) a model rocket where children can use calculators; (3) a walled-in castle study center; (4) a model one-room schoolhouse; (5) a map center; and (6) a music center. Procedures for building and stocking the centers are…

This article suggests 11 projects for prekindergarten and kindergarten children (1) to teach letter recognition; (2) to develop eye-hand coordination; and (3) to help children understand weather; and (4) to provide art and drama activities on Thanksgiving themes. (PP)

Activities that are part of an elementary school science study unit on snakes, spiders, earthworms, snails, caterpillars, and crocodiles are described. (CJ)

Ways that instructional materials for elementary school students can be taken from room to room or from school to home are described. Ideas include mesh carryall bags, knapsacks, and paper carriers. (CJ)

This article offers teachers tips about how to get off to a good start when the new school year begins. Suggestions are given for setting up initial activities, making door signs that help students practice reading, starting group stories, scheduling time, and getting to know students. (PP)

Index cards, masking tape, pizza shells, golf tees, and empty soda bottles can be used to make manipulative objects to be used in children's mathematics games. Twenty-two games that provide practice in number drills and problem solving are described, along with instructions for making objects needed for the games. (PP)

Learning activities that introduce new twists to teaching such basic subjects as mathematics, social studies, reading comprehension, music, science, creative writing, and spelling are described. (CB)

This teaching unit on using shadows in science instruction and other class activities explains how to set up and equip a "super private sleuthing box" where students can solve mysteries such as where to find shadows and how to shrink or enlarge them. Ideas for making silhouettes and shadow plays are also given. (PP)

Ways in which elementary school teachers turned spaces into environments conducive to learning are described. Included are: (1) student offices; (2) seldom-used stairwells; (3) reading lofts; (4) a "fort" learning center; and (5) a garden spot for quiet study. Ideas for classroom storage are also presented. (CJ)

Over 30 activities for elementary school classes during the first week of school are described. Ideas are included for a first day checklist, correct pronunciation of names, getting acquainted games, and classroom organization hints. (CJ)

Ways to keep children's minds on school as summer approaches include: (1) saving exciting topics or student projects for the last weeks of school; (2) going outside for activities that take advantage of the weather; (3) building finish-up stations where pupils can complete last-minute work; and (4) helping children plan summer activities. (PP)

Described are six language arts games for elementary school students in the areas of grammar, mythology, debate, spelling (silent "e"), poetry, and classification (word lists). (CJ)

Recommended activities include: (1) etymology exercises for elementary school students; (2) a search for information about Alexander the Great; (3) monthly inspections of the school yard to observe environmental changes; and (4) an art history unit on Cro-Magnon cave drawings. An interdisciplinary unit on transportation is included. (PP)

Teachers who follow this monthly schedule for starting and cultivating plants in their classrooms can look forward to blooms and greenery throughout the year. Advice on choosing plants, making cuttings, forcing bulbs, rooting sweet potatoes and pineapples, and holding a Mother's Day plant sale is included. (PP)

Geometry should be a frequent and familiar part of the elementary school mathematics curriculum. Exercises to help children master basic terminology and visualize shapes and geometric relationships are described. They range from a "shape bag," which teaches simple identification of figures, to more complex activities involving polyominoes and…