Good teachers are lifelong learners and want to meet the needs of all of the students in the classroom. Yet, they never have all the answers. Many teachers have found themselves in a predicament of uncertainty and have become apprehensive about their own practices. They can benefit from professional development and supports. Through collaborative…

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with and at risk for disabilities evidence the greatest need for quality instructional programs of all students in our schools because of disproportionate academic underachievement, special education referrals, and disciplinary actions. Authorities on culturally responsive instruction…

Describes a teacher's experiences with a kindergarten class of developmentally delayed children. Offers strategies for changing behavior, stimulating cognition, influencing self-esteem, and teaching early academics. Two students' stories demonstrate progression from uncontrollable behavior to attention and eagerness to learn. (SH)

The What Works Briefs are a series of short, easy-to-read, "how-to" information packets designed to: (1) promote practices that support young children's social and emotional development and prevent challenging behaviors; (2) highlight practices, strategies, and intervention procedures that have been found to effectively prevent and address…

The best way to manage discipline problems in preschoolers with autism is to prevent the problems from occurring in the first place. The article examines the diagnosis, incidence, and prevalence of autism, discusses how to facilitate desired behavior, and offers a case study of a preschool student with autism. (SM)

The Iowa Behavioral Initiative is a staff development venture designed to help educators with the increasingly complex student behaviors which seem to defy former standards of intervention. Participation in the Initiative activities provides general and special educators with practical, validated strategies for dealing with student behavior…

This article defines, provides a rationale for, and describes the implementation of a classroom management level system in a middle school program for students with severe behavior disorders. The system is a motivational plan for behavioral improvement based upon a graduated series of levels with increasing student responsibility and privileges.…

Fairy tales can be used in the classroom to promote normal growth and development as well as carry a message of hope and faith in the strength and goodness of humans. Because fairy tales are imaginative literature, readers can safely experience and work through scary situations which are analogous to situations in real life. Bibliotherapy refers…

Describes a classroom management approach called developmental discipline that incorporates observation with knowledge of the individual child, situation, and child development to guide appropriate behavior. Discusses factors associated with behavior problems and how teachers can work with parents to apply developmental discipline techniques and…

Describes a classroom-based social decision-making intervention to promote health and prevent problem behaviors. The approach unites social-cognitive, affective, behavioral, and social relationship areas with critical thinking skills important for academic achievement. Because middle school students are high risk for negative health outcomes, they…