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)

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)

Ideas for spring arts activities include a whimsical play about royal dragons, a skit on an April fool, and a song. Instructions for making brightly colored birds from boxes, a happy day hat, decorated eggs, and other art projects are given. (PP)

Presents descriptions of the most commonly taught thinking skills and information on how to present, model, and practice those skills in class. The guide also includes a quiz designed to help the teacher take advantage of everyday opportunities to promote thinking skills, and 10 critical thinking skills strategies. (GLR)

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 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)

The article presents an illustrated page of poems for teachers to clip and post in recognition of Black History Month; three cross-curricular activities related to the poems; two reproducible activity pages on poetry and Black history; and a special author study to be shared with students. (SM)

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…

More than 50 starter ideas for social studies projects and units for the primary and intermediate grades are presented. These help develop children's skills in social studies, reading, handwriting, and language arts, and stir their interest in local history and government. Activities can be used for new projects or to enrich ongoing ones. (PP)

Students can become better listeners by learning to: (1) listen accurately; and (2) listen critically, when interpretation is required. Teachers can foster accurate listening through games demanding close attention to rhythm instruments and directions. They can encourage critical listening through music exercises and activities that involve…

Ideas are presented for the creation of various puppets which can be used to teach different topics in the elementary school classroom. A song and ideas for stages for puppet shows and a "puppet corner" are also included. (CJ)

This package of patriotic learning activities refers to historic tales about colonial days, Black history, and the contributions of the states to America's wealth and history. Poems, skits, riddles about states and presidents, and a play featuring mock presidential interviews are included. A Save-the-Statue-of-Liberty project is noted. (PP)