Some high achievers are not as easy to engage. Sometimes motivating high achievers is "a matter of being more sensitive to what they are interested in," says Don Ambrose, a professor of education at Rider University in New Jersey. But too often classrooms are not set up for that kind of sensitivity. Research shows that schools are…

Rafe Esquith has taught for 23 years at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School in Los Angeles. In a neighborhood plagued by gangs, guns, and drugs, his is a special classroom known as Room 56. Within its walls, children living in poverty play Vivaldi concertos, perform unabridged plays by Shakespeare, and go on to attend top universities. In 2003,…

Learning and laughter go hand in hand. Teachers certainly do not need to be stand-up comedians and spew out one-liners or dress up like clowns to make their classes fun. A little comedy can bring a lot of joy and learning opportunities to the classroom. In this article, the author shares several strategies on how teachers can put in laughter into…

The author defines psychic ability and suggests ways that teachers can recognize it. (KC)

Author attempted to clarify the concept of "creativity" so that students might become more creative and teachers might realize more effective methods for stimulating student development. (RK)

A substitute teacher's stay in a classroom can be a pleasant, constructive workday or a nightmare of thinly disguised bedlam. Here are some ideas that will ensure that the classroom maintains a productive environment while the substitute teacher takes over. (Author/RK)

Nine elementary teachers explain how they design their classrooms to match and support their instructional styles. The teachers focus on whole language programs, student portfolios, science activity set-ups, technology transformation, learning center strategies, and space utilization. (SM)

English-language learners, according to research, learn best through instruction that draws upon their strength in their first language. It is unlikely that any teacher would have knowledge of even a fraction of the languages that are spoken by students in American classrooms, particularly since some large school districts report as many as a…

Maintaining a high "synergy" classroom, when the total effect of the people in an environment seems to be greater than the sum of the effort of the individuals, requires a commitment to a cooperative learning environment and hard work. Here are some learning activities designed to provide students with "synergy" all year long. (Author/RK)

The in-service teacher workshop described here offers solid, practical training at your pace. No need to stay after school, no need to pay a fee. Just read Instructor's professors-in-print each month, carry out the assignments at the end of each article, and send them to the authors for review. (Editor/RK)

This article offers teachers tips about how to get off to a good start when the new school year begins. Suggestions are given for setting up initial activities, making door signs that help students practice reading, starting group stories, scheduling time, and getting to know students. (PP)

A teacher-researcher provides ideas for creating a writer's workshop and encouraging written expression. Suggestions include letting the children create the room arrangement, providing a variety of writing tools, establishing a predictable writing time, becoming partners with students in the writing process, and encouraging students to be active…

Explains how to set the stage for cooperative learning in primary classrooms. One article describes how to achieve classroom cooperation using developmentally appropriate planning; the other discusses class activities that can spark a collaborative spirit (e.g., cooperative murals and book discussions). (SM)

Article describes how elementary teachers can create a writing workshop environment that encourages students to write. It discusses how to set the tone and conduct effective conferences. It suggests teachers act as facilitators and listeners and establish workshop procedures. It recommends teachers initially ignore errors and respond to content.…

Explains how teachers can identify and correct sexist classroom practices. Teachers strive for fairness, but even those deeply concerned about gender equality tend to interact differently with boys and girls, with profound effects on children's self-esteem, academic interests, and ability to become independent, assertive thinkers. (SM)