Presents ideas for creating a welcoming classroom environment, including: decorating the room by hanging students' names from the ceiling; making a classroom community puzzle involving each student; and developing a variety of welcoming bulletin boards. A reproducible sheet includes cut-out shapes to make an underwater-theme bulletin board that…

Our nations' classrooms appear to be in trouble, with many students complaining that they feel alienated and many teachers saying that they are overwhelmed. Hence, these classrooms seem to be more like "battlegrounds," than "connecting places." Since it may be very counterproductive to maintain this type of an atmosphere within our classrooms, the…

Describes the developmental stages toward prosocial behavior and how teachers, as models and mirrors of such behavior, facilitate that development. Provides suggestions for early childhood directors and staff that can positively affect courteous speech within their programs. (HTH)

Provides ways for teachers to make ninth-grade general mathematics courses more pleasant and productive. (MD)

Teachers share practical ideas for learning activities in the elementary school classroom. (CM)

Presents strategies that involve students in managing their own classrooms. The ideas include a teacher's mailbox for student suggestions, a classroom bill of rights and responsibilities, class jobs, an evaluation calendar, a bulletin board company, and an advice-to-the-teacher card. A student page offers an evaluation calendar. (SM)

Describes an undergraduate class simulation project used to engage student interest in and knowledge of both "The Federalist Papers" and anti-federalist writings. Discusses the importance of simulation in the classroom and provides information concerning implementation of this technique. Notes that the simulation provides experience in…

Asserts that the reunification of Germany and its significance in the European Community provide a catalyst for U.S. social studies teachers to include instruction about Germany at all grade levels. Includes a teacher resource page with information about schools and student life in Germany. (CFR)

Offers four surveys for teacher self evaluation that present recommendations for relating to students in a positive manner; preventing student misbehavior; handling student discipline situation; and providing classroom leadership. Discusses ways to use these self evaluation surveys. (SR)