The writers describe how apparently ordinary decisions about what to say when talking with children can have substantial effects on their learning and development. The language we use with children influences, among other things, who they think they are, what they think they're doing, the relationships they have with others, the strategic…

Many reform initiatives adopt a reductionist, proceduralized approach to cultural change, assuming that deep changes can be realized by introducing new classroom activities, textbooks, and technological tools. This article elaborates a complex system perspective of learning culture: A learning culture as a complex system involves macro-level…

A teacher faces hostility from certain colleagues who view his decision to attend a controversial lecture as tantamount to the repudiation of the principle of inclusive education and the rights of students with disabilities. The teacher sees the proposed boycott of the lecture as a form of censorship threatening freedom of inquiry and critical…

Offers ideas on how to incorporate the principles espoused by Stephen Covey with the music classroom: (1) be proactive; (2) begin with the end in mind; (3) put first things first; (4) think win/win; (5) seek first to understand, then to be understood; (6) synergize; and (7) improve skills. (CMK)

Ten faculty from different disciplines at George Washington University (D.C.) documented their teaching behaviors and ideas in an interactive multimedia format that focused on general philosophy/vision of teaching; characteristics of excellent teachers; teaching strategies/techniques employed; motivating students; assessing teaching effectiveness;…

A report is given of a procedure that may be used by teachers to reconsider their educational beliefs and practices, and determine whether their teaching behaviors are in accordance with their professed beliefs. Part I of the procedure, the Educational Beliefs System Inventory, is a 69-item inventory composed of statements of beliefs about human…

A pedagogical model for transitional English bilingual classrooms was developed to meet the goals of teacher training and guidance, program evaluation, and empirical validation of bilingual theories. The model defines and integrates theoretical principles useful for pedagogical application in four dimensions: activity structures, language of…

Discusses four principles involved in teaching beginning reading most effectively, related to: (1) the literacy environment at home, child care, and school; (2) experiences to develop concepts and related vocabulary; (3) developing understanding of purposes of print; and (4) enjoying books and being read to. Discusses how these principles can be…

Examines the inherent dichotomy between the competing needs of maintaining emotional safety and exploring sensitive issues in social studies classrooms. Argues that an effectively safe classroom can serve as a necessary backdrop for addressing controversial issues even in the earliest of grades. Maintains that most teachers simply ignore these…