Homa Sabet Tavangar is the author of "Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World" (Random House, 2009) and "The Global Education Toolkit for Elementary Learners" (Sage/Corwin, 2014). She works with diverse schools, corporations, non-profits, and children's media on optimizing learning, empathy, inclusion,…

Cautions against rush to import British informal-style classrooms asserting that open education can't be brought about by mandate, questionable motivations, or by a quick, band-aid approach. More long-range planning and better evaluation methods are urged. (ST)

Shows how a university course in human growth and learning can provide multiple opportunities to explore the concept of community for preservice teachers. Provides a rationale for building community and discusses students' concerns with behavior management and school violence. Presents strategies that build communities, including demonstrating the…

Peer relationships play an important role in socialization during childhood and young adolescence. Negative relationships may pose multiple difficulties for children related to their development that can have lifelong influences. Research indicates that the quality of peer relationships is associated with a variety of outcomes, such as social…

Maintains that child development knowledge is important in providing a strong basis for teachers' decision-making processes. Discusses how teachers must consider all aspects of development--physical, social/emotional, and intellectual--in making classroom decisions, as well as decisions concerning parental involvement and the use of community…

Discusses research on homosexuality, including origins and physiology. Claims that teachers play an important role in developing and maintaining the classroom as a psychologically safe and appreciative environment. Provides suggestions on how teachers should handle biases. Concludes that by treating all children with respect and dignity, teachers…

Provides a definition of dyslexia and characteristics of students who have this condition. Claims that when teaching dyslexic students, teachers may need to change the academic environment to enable students to demonstrate what they know. Provides suggestions to teachers on how the needs of dyslexic students can be met in the regular classroom.…

Notes the existence of gender bias in early childhood education. Provides a list of "Do's" and "Don'ts" for teachers and administrators to eliminate bias. Claims that by reviewing this list and supporting information, teachers can become more knowledgeable about hidden bias and learn how to change their behavior to provide the…