Reading workshop is a way for students to find what kinds of books they love, practice reading independently, and move up to higher levels of reading with teacher guidance. This type of workshop can develop a lifelong love of reading in children. But several conditions need to be met to make it successful. The authors discuss those conditions,…

By leaving school and home routines behind, a group of Maine elementary teachers have found grant-funded summer retreats an excellent source of renewal. Teachers have a chance to pursue chosen professional activities, participate in data- driven conversations, and spend time together with no competing concerns. (MLH)

Florida A & M University, a majority black university, and Florida State University, a majority white university, have engaged in two demonstration teacher education intergroup relations projects. (Author)

The reading workshop is not based on ability groups, but provides a venue to focus on each student's strengths and needs. Components include a teacher-sharing time, focus lesson, state-of-the-class conference, self-selected reading and responding time, and student-sharing time. (MLH)

Three central Minnesota school districts, the Chamber of Commerce, business representatives, and public service organizations decided to help teachers translate workplace expectations into school lessons. The result was the "Relevance Counts Institute," which shows teachers specific occupational skills one day and employee applications…

In the American Federation of Teachers' Thinking Mathematics collaboration, teachers have become equal partners with researchers to create staff development aimed at mathematics instruction. Researchers and 5 visiting practitioners have cooperated to create mathematics foundations materials conceptualized in 10 guiding principles for mathematics…

Teacher training programs must go beyond "how-to" workshops to facilitate understanding about technology's relationship to learning. An International School of Bangkok training program transforms teachers into learners immersed in technology-rich environments. The process involves seven phases: getting ready, learning about technology,…

This teacher-run center provides opportunity for teachers to share ideas and improve skills as well as serving as an information center including an extensive education library, summer workshops, an arts and crafts area, innovative displays of classroom materials, and advisory services to teachers and the community. (JD)

Notes that teaching social and emotional skills can have a long-term positive effect on academic achievement. The University of Washington's Raising Healthy Children Project tries to reduce children's risk of developing problems in adolescence by providing interventions that bond students to family and school. The program features staff…

The High Expectations Learning Process for Standards-Driven Units of Study (HELPS) enables teachers to connect classroom teaching to standards and assessment. Workshops take teachers through a seven-step process: identifying standards, developing ideas for a culminating event, aligning this event with standards, identifying unit blocks, creating…