Teachers often tend to discuss their English language learners (ELLs) in terms of "level." Writes the author, "But if I were to say to a teacher, 'You have four level 2s in your class,' how does that help us have a common understanding of the students' needs?" One approach that has great potential to increase students' language…

Dispels some discouraging myths about authentic learning's context, mastery, originality, entertainment value, and task complexity. The main point is to let students encounter and master situations that resemble real life, which has its tedious and unengaging moments. Educators should work toward more (rather than complete) authenticity, exploit…

The ideal classroom climate promotes deep understanding, excitement about learning, and social and intellectual growth. Students are active decision makers, teachers work with students, and learners' interests and questions drive much of the curriculum. This brief article provides guidelines and a checklist to help administrators, parents, and…

Presents four guidelines for improving individualized instruction, based on the author's experience with the "mastery learning" approach to instruction. (JG)

Researchers agree that grading and reporting are not essential to instruction; there is no best grading system; grading is inherently subjective; and grades have some value as rewards, but none as punishments. Types of learning criteria and practical grading guidelines are outlined, along with a brief history of grading practices since the late…

A former surgeon has revealed that nutrition and exercise have positive effects on the school environment and also on student academic achievement. Some of the guidelines and recommendations for physical activity that can be adopted in schools are described.

Learning relevance is the guiding principle behind the Real World Connections activities in the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's K-12 curriculum guides. The goal of the innovative Alternative Blueprint for Curriculum Development Project (Project ABCD) is to develop activity-based curricula that successfully blend…

At Southegan High School, in Amherst, New Hampshire, all students, including those with physical and emotional disabilities, are fully included in nontracked, heterogeneously grouped classes. Full inclusion is possible because of three program components: collaborative planning time; curriculum design characterized by planning backward from final…

Numerous federal and health-promotion agencies recommend increasing youngsters' physical activity levels to 30 to 60 accumulated minutes daily. The National Association for Sports and Physical Education has developed national standards that define a physically educated person. High-quality program components and learning activities are described.…

Advises new substitute teachers to be prepared, tote emergency activity folders, dress professionally (but wear flamingo earrings), be early, figure out the game plan, communicate expectations to students, enforce consequences, have a gimmick to reward cooperation, relish the teachable moment, leave the room tidy, and believe in themselves. (MLH)

Out-of-school educational settings and activities should involve varied learning modes deviating from the narrow skills and tasks of schooling. As a Los Angeles after-school program shows, students learn better when instruction builds on what they already know, helps them express their ideas, and develops activities related to their interests.…

Recent advances in theory and research provide a basis for defining higher-order thinking skills and for designing tests of such skills. (MCG)

Effective grading practices grow from a teaching/learning philosophy that respects student differences and reflects individual growth. To help individual students succeed, teachers must grasp the curricular landscape, figure out what students know and care about, and design powerful learning experiences to guide them through the next learning…

The research on beginning reading instruction for English language learners that provides several useful guidelines for policy and practice is presented. Research suggests that bilingual programs usually improve the English reading performances of English language learners.

Dozens of Australian "laptop" schools are following the lead of Methodist Ladies' College (an independent pre-K-12 school) in personal computing and are using some of their pioneering professional development models, including in-classroom collaboration, "slumber parties," and build-a-book workshops. Guidelines for implementing…