Creating a class book can be an effective way to stimulate early elementary students' creativity and self-expression. The six steps are to: introduce the project; create the story; decide who does what; get it down on paper; put it all together; and share the experience. (SM)

Teachers can integrate computer use with regular classroom activities to motivate children and to help build self-esteem. Through creative teaching, the computerized classroom becomes a place where children develop problem-solving skills and learn to work together. (DF)

Describes how an eighth-grade teacher interested her students in reading and writing using cooperative learning and newspapers. During National Newspaper Week, students grouped into mixed ability clusters then completed weekly newspaper reading activities over the rest of the year. Team members agreed on role assignments and rotated…

Children's natural enthusiasm for science is too often destroyed by the way the subject is taught. An elementary school teacher explains how to instill in young students an interest in science and a desire to understand why things happen as they do. (PP)

A fourth grade teacher commemorated Black History Month with a study of African culture and geography. Students were assigned to make a chosen African country come alive through an oral presentation. Finger puppets, which students outfitted in traditional tribal attire, were used to enhance the project. (SM)

The article describes ways to nurture gifted students without shortchanging the rest of the class. Curriculum compacting techniques allow teachers to plan for students with similar capabilities, determining which skills are already known, which need work, and what acceleration activities should be added. (SM)

Describes a multicultural unit for elementary students. Children select a folk art or craft and become experts, learn the craft, research the craft, pass the craft on, and review their discoveries. The unit culminates in a folk arts festival at which students demonstrate their craft to classmates, teachers, and guests. (SM)

Describes Math Safari, a mathematical, scientific, geographic, informational adventure for fourth grade students. It integrates all curriculum areas and other skills by using information children must find in books to pose math problems about animals. It encourages cooperative learning, critical reading, analysis, and use of research skills. (SM)

An open classroom provides the setting for a Philadelphia teacher who uses unconventional but effective methods to teach the three R's. Examples of Lynne Yermanock Strieb's approaches to teaching reading and mathematics to first- and second-grade students are given. (PP)

A Maryland teacher used Alaska's Iditarod sled-dog race to spark learning and bring adventure into a fourth grade history and geography course. Students followed the Iditarod, conducted reading races on related material, studied race strategies, and considered necessary mathematics. They learned about Alaska while experiencing cooperation and…

A second grade teacher describes how a difficult student with learning disabilities blossomed over the course of the school year. The article examines her whole class approach and presents strategies for including such a student in creative writing activities. (SM)

This article presents creative teaching experiences from five teachers nationwide. The projects involve student projects to prevent crime, talking to astronauts via amateur radio, transforming the classroom into an ancient Egyptian tomb, doing a good deed each day, and increasing father involvement. (SM)