In this "Postcard from the Podium," Belinda Luke describes her first experience on a faculty Academic Misconduct Committee. From a personal perspective, the experience made her reconsider her own views not only on plagiarism--to which there are varying degrees ranging perhaps from students looking at a previous assignment to using it as…

When Alexis Wiggins returned to full-time teaching after having a baby, she took with her an idea from the book "A Path With Heart" by Buddhist Jack Kornfield. The idea was that each day might go better if she viewed everyone she encountered during that day, including any student or parent who seemed to make her teaching life harder, as…

Instruction is the most important variable in special education, but it is often overlooked. Special instruction is what makes special education work, yet it is often neglected. We need to know more about how to teach both academic and behavioral skills more effectively, how behavioral and academic skills are interrelated, and how to choose those…

Over the past 25 years, Gallup polls have consistently reported that disruptive behavior and discipline problems are some of the top concerns of school staff and community members. In fact, problems with classroom management are among the most common reasons that teachers leave their jobs. In response, many schools are turning to more formal…

There are many different reasons why children have problems paying attention. One child might be visually oversensitive and thereby distracted by bright sunlight coming in through a window or by too much color on a bulletin board. Another child, who is oversensitive to smells, might be distracted by the teacher's perfume or by the odor coming from…

The considerable gap between educational policy regarding discipline techniques and the reality of the classroom is explored. (LH)

Points out that much research has shown that punishing incorrect behavior in children results in faster learning than does reinforcing correct behavior. Suggests nonphysical punishments for classroom use. (FL)

In this article, the author iterates how over the years he had sensed that student misbehavior was on the rise: rudeness, lateness, loudness, distractedness, and the myriad small sins that irritate teachers. It was not as if these young louts were protesting a war or engaging in civil disobedience; they were just plain rude. But, although the…

In this article, the author provides several strategies on how to help children who will not follow rules. These strategies include: (1) allowing lots of talk time; (2) increasing small group activities; (3) reconsidering one's pacing; (4) scheduling additional free time; (5) reducing transition times; (6) reevaluating classroom rules; (7)…

Growing concern about the quality of public education in the United States has driven numerous educational reform efforts across the last three decades. These reforms include increased accountability as exemplified by various requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the introduction of new curriculum and instructional methods in…

Aspects of W. Glasser's Control Theory are applied to the education of behaviorally disordered students. It is believed that stimulus/response theory and tools are inadequate with this population and that the stress should be on understanding internal motivating forces. The caring classroom, an approach which emphasizes ways to meet both the…

The educational practice called inclusion has brought increasing numbers of children with disabilities into the music classroom, many times without the teacher being informed of these students' unique needs. In order for music teachers to successfully teach in an inclusive classroom, they must be prepared to work effectively with special learners,…

Teacher educators should get back to the world of students and find out what works and what doesn't in the classroom to ensure that they don't teach from an "ivory tower." Continuous teaching experience is particularly needed by teacher educators in the areas of discipline, classroom management, teaching effectiveness, misbehavior, and punishment.…

Guidelines for effectively integrating learning-disabled or behavior problem students into regular classrooms are discussed. They include meetings between regular and special education teachers, class rules, discipline, clear directions, individualized instruction, direct instruction for skill acquisition, peer tutoring, structured activities,…

Addresses the problems of the slow learner, the student who does not achieve at the higher levels of the class. Discusses reasons for student failures. Suggests that all students are talented, so teachers must find ways to bring out the best in each child. (SG)