Acknowledging teacher and student dialogue as key to student development, this volume takes a critical perspective on notions of classroom participation, extending previous scholarship to illustrate how critical, dialogic pedagogies can promote equity and inclusivity. In proposing and outlining the parameters of "critical dialogic…

Declining academic performance, along with a growing apathy of students toward the value of education, demonstrates that students in the United States public education system do not recognize the value of a positive experience in middle schools. A plethora of research and writing has been done on elementary schools and secondary schools, but…

The most promising intervention for improving learning and reducing academic gaps in outcomes is present in every classroom: the "teacher". Teachers empowered to create relationship-centric, supportive classroom and school cultures, combined with rigorous academics, produce breakthrough results for their students. Three nonprofits'…

As a component of the school curriculum, science has features that are both unique and representative. This book explores the idea that the socialization of students is not only a matter of their deportment, attitudes, and conduct, but is also very significantly associated with the meanings provided by their educational experiences. The chapters…

This book brings together accounts of educators who have sought to make a difference in the lives of their students through literacy education--from university classrooms in the United States, England, and South Africa, to policy and curriculum development in Singapore and Australia. The literacy classrooms explored in the book range from the…

The next decade will see a dramatic increase in public finding for programs serving young children. Prekindergarten and early elementary programs will received more scrutiny in line with a growing awareness that school success is heavily influenced by the skills and attitudes children have when they enter school and quality of initial school…

An effective, action-oriented way of addressing students' values and character growth is emphasized in this collection of articles. The book teaches the principles that form the integrated approach to character education. Three vital aspects of teaching and learning are discussed. An introduction by the editor is entitled: "The Six Principles…

Noting that children from stable as well as at-risk environments come to preschool settings with fears they cannot articulate, this book provides early childhood professionals with a framework for understanding the emotional lives of the young children they serve. The book combines a theoretical foundation with a practical basis for making…

These six papers address theoretical and practical issues in the inclusion of students with severe disabilities in regular classes and related settings. Emphasis is on how communication and other social skills can be taught to these students in inclusive settings. A prologue and epilogue, by Beth Dixon, a parent, relates her severely disabled…

Intended for teachers, this book is a compilation of articles on effectively creating and maintaining an interactive classroom, one in which the teacher uses a wide repertoire of teaching strategies, organizational tools, problem-solving techniques, and consensus building methods. Section 1 discusses improving schools and schooling's role in…

This book presents a collection of essays that reflect the experiences of educators who have responded to the challenges of cultural diversity on their campuses or within their educational regions. Essays examine instructional strategies, curriculum issues, and creating the climate for change. Essay titles and their authors are as follows:…

Originally developed as part of a project for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on classroom organization for an expansive reading curriculum is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes an overview of the project; a comprehensive search of the…

A collection of reports and case studies of second language instruction for proficiency includes: "Language Teaching and the Quest for the Holy Grail" (Theodore V. Higgs); "The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines: A Historical Perspective" (Judith E. Liskin-Gasparro); "The Proficiency-Oriented Classroom" (Alice C. Omaggio);…

Building upon a historical discussion of general and special education reform, this book gives suggestions on how to optimize learning for a diversity of students. The chapters in the book are: (1) "Practices in General Education: Past and Present" (Jennifer J. Coots, and others); (2) "Services for Students with Disabilities: Past…

This book provides a collection of papers that address the enhancement of faculty teaching and learning in an increasingly interconnected multicultural society. Three interconnected dimensions of multicultural teaching are focused upon: content, process and discourse, and diversity of faculty and students. Papers and their authors are as follows:…