Nearly every reform effort espouses the importance of "parent involvement." This research-based guide is essential reading for teachers and administrators who want to make welcoming classrooms a reality. With a focus on literacy instruction, it showcases stories of "what works" when teachers in elementary school classrooms throughout the country…

This book offers information and ideas to support teachers, parents and other caregivers in their efforts to help children accept and like their bodies. It includes specific tips on dealing with body image issues and suggestions for role modeling healthy attitudes about body size. It also offers suggestions for healthy eating, increasing physical…

Recognizes the importance of each classroom being a proactive, multicultural learning center, noting the barriers (such as low self-esteem) in adults and children that often inhibit such an environment. Gives teachers and administrators specific actions and strategies for a systematic approach to family-school collaboration and advocacy for…

Research supports the belief that most students can learn, but each child concentrates, processes, absorbs, and remembers new and difficult information in a different way. Teaching failing students in ways that complement their learning styles increases their standardized test scores in several academic areas. Instructional practices useful with…

Elementary school students differ in interest, capacity, achievement, social development, socioeconomic level, and psychomotor skills. These individual differences are discussed in reference to the process of designing the elementary social studies curriculum. Part One suggests ways in which teachers can respond to students' individual…

The empirical phase of this two-phased project was focused on identifying children's sex-stereotypes about adult occupations and testing the use of role-reversed stories as a method of modifying those attitudes within school settings. Subjects were first through fifth grade children from each of a suburban, a small town and a rural school.…

The information in this guide should help speech and language pathologists and others who are responsible for the assessment of students from the target populations, African Americans and Hmong students in Wisconsin. The guide provides information pertaining to cultural factors influencing learning and language and recommended procedures for…

The common ground approach to religion in public schools includes government neutrality toward religion and provides an equitable civic framework for all groups. Schools are legally obligated to accommodate students' religious needs whenever possible. This article presents guidelines about what teachers and students can and cannot do in certain…

Describes a block play activity undertaken in a kindergarten through second-grade multiage classroom, in which children used blocks and various other props to construct and operate an imaginary snack shop. Discusses the benefits of block play and guidelines for teachers to follow in establishing block play activities. (MDM)

Presents teachers with guidelines for being sensitive to Native Americans and other people of different cultures and for teaching young children about cultural diversity. Stresses the need for inclusiveness of all cultural groups, especially Native Americans, in the classroom. (BB)

This booklet is designed to provide parents of elementary and junior high school students with an understanding the purpose and nature of homework and suggestions for helping their children complete homework assignments successfully. After a discussion of why teachers assign homework, how homework can help children learn, and the optimum amount of…

One of a series written for the beginning caregiver or teacher in a military child care center, this staff development module aims to provide practice in making decisions in problematic sitations concerning school-age children. The module offers several discussions of issues related to the topic of child care for school-age children. These…

Sexual stereotypes and bias are prevalent in U.S. public schools. The paper presents samples of common biased behavior by teachers and offers a quiz for teachers to determine whether they are guilty of gender bias. Suggestions for exposing and changing gender-biased behavior and resources for further information are included. (SM)

This module provides guidelines for constructing appropriate day care center environments for school-age children 6 through 12 years of age. One of a series of staff development modules for child caregivers working in military child care centers, the document is divided into two parts. The first part indicates some ways environments affect…

Notes the increase in after-school programs for school-age children and discusses ways to meet the outdoor play needs of this age group. Stresses the need to recognize the unique physical, cognitive, and social needs of school-age children; offers suggestions for developing or modifying playgrounds to meet those needs. (TJQ)