To work productively with all students, teachers need to examine four major determinants of human learning: neural equipment; learning history; learning strategies, such as imaging, paraphrasing, summarizing, and generating examples; and quality of teaching. (JDD)

A music reading program for developmentally disabled children is based on 16 teaching principles drawn from research. The "Shapes and Sounds" method concentrates first on counting rhythms, then introduces notes using different shapes for each. Case studies introducing piano to three handicapped children, ages 6, 8, and 13, are given. (VW)

This article discusses the challenge that students with disabilities face in high-school settings in trying to succeed within the general education curriculum. The Concept Anchoring Routine is profiled as a way to help adolescents connect new information they are expected to learn to information that is already familiar to them. (CR)

A five-step process that resource teachers and others can use to develop their own learning strategies is described. Several examples of teacher-generated strategies with evidence of their effectiveness are offered. (DB)

Research based suggestions are presented for effective vocabulary instruction strategies, including: learning new labels; learning concepts; and learning to learn meanings. Regardless of the method chosen, it is crucial that students: demonstrate generalization abilities; be given time to learn new material; periodically review what they learn;…

This article discusses the increased emphasis on providing early intervention services within natural environments and how to maximize natural learning opportunities by using everyday activities that children experience and embedding intervention in daily routines. Guidelines for deciding the frequency of services, changing services, and the level…

Discusses instruction in mnemonics to help students with disabilities and learning difficulties improve memory for school content. Discusses what mnemonic strategies are; offers general techniques for improving memory; and explains (with examples) the mnemonic techniques of using keywords, using pegwords, and using letter strategies. Also provides…

This article discusses how teachers use sensory inputs and physical outputs to define learning channels that students use during specific instruction and how teachers can arrange the sensory inputs and physical outputs on a grid to form a learning channel matrix. Three examples of learning channel matrices are presented. (Contains references.)…

The review characterizes phases of compliance in the learning of a skill (acquisition of the skill, fluency, generalization) and details research which exemplifies behavior management strategies that have been endeavored at each phase. The implications of these findings are considered and cautions and considerations of discrete strategies are…

Elements of cooperation learning and the specific actions for implementing it are presented, including positive interdependence, individual accountability, collaborative skills, and group processing. Effects on relationships between disabled and nondisabled students are summarized. The teacher's role in implementing cooperative learning is…

Presented are guidelines for designing and incorporating cooperative group learning strategies into teacher preparation courses. Guidelines include determining appropriate content, selecting a cooperative format, forming cooperative groups, teaching cooperative skills, providing feedback, and evaluating learning. The student satisfaction results…

This article discusses the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics, the advantages of the standards, and the following three recommendations for implementing the goals of the standards for students with disabilities: effective instruction techniques, manipulatives, and real-life application. Guidelines for the effective…

This article discusses teaching higher-level thinking skills and concentration to students with disabilities through chess instruction. Guidelines for chess instruction are provided, including: teaching ideas and strategy first rather than specific lines of play, using a variety of instructional modalities, and building in reinforcement for…

Discusses the positive value of conflicts and describes a six-step program, Teaching Students To Be Peacemakers, that instructs students in how to negotiate and mediate conflicts. Reviews research on the effectiveness of the program and the benefits of self-regulation for school discipline programs. Provides steps on how to structure academic…

Describes and provides contact information for different competitions for students with disabilities in the arts, service learning and leadership, and academics. Discusses the benefits of competitions, including enhancement of learning skills, development of social skills, and development of lifelong interests. (CR)