In this article, the author describes ten of his favorite tools and explains how they can be employed in various ways: (1) to manage the classroom better; (2) to jump into fun activities with little or no preparation; or (3) to promote student-created art and materials. All of these teaching tools are affordable--even cheap. In the event that some…

Instructors are responsible for making teaching come to life. This article seeks to energize the classroom through an exploration of the tacit synergies between the language of poetry and the language of management. In the process, the authors delve into both the opportunities and the obstacles in bringing together two disparate discourses. As an…

The activities in the guide will help you connect the suggestions and strategies in "Classroom Instruction from A to Z" to your real-life teaching experiences. For each of the 26 chapters in the book, you will find a series of three activities that will help you reflect on your current practices. They ask you to ACT now and turn your classroom…

Several teachers share their ideas for classroom activities. These include: (1) combining science and art on Earth Day; (2) implementing an inexpensive incentive scheme to get students to bring their signed papers back to school on time; (3) involving students in a virtual zoo; (4) planting real grass in Easter Bunny baskets; and (5) creating own…

This book offers countless practical ideas for student activities in the areas of literature, reading, writing, and thematic units, from the exploration of ghostly themes, to the writing of resumes for heroes, to devising yearbook entries or Web pages for famous literary characters. The book provides the middle school or secondary school classroom…

Describes why and how to make movement part of the teaching routine to enhance the curriculum. Information is presented on movement logistics, managing movement, and music. The article explains how to integrate movement activities into specific science, social studies, math, and language arts units at various elementary school levels. (SM)

Describes how to boost elementary students' confidence and nurture responsibility by making students resident experts at review stations. Students rotate from station to station where the experts are learning at their own pace, spending more time on material they do not understand, and receiving personal attention and immediate feedback. (SM)

Describes an American literature class project to save a covered bridge from collapse. Illustrates how student initiative in contacting government agencies and news media, learning the history of the bridge, and raising public awareness about the project led to a joint county agreement to preserve the historic span. (DHP)

A collection of back-to-school ideas helps elementary school teachers facilitate their students' adjustment to new class environments with across-the-curriculum activities. The suggestions focus on getting acquainted, learning class rules, discussing topics of study, building self-esteem, working with parents, learning cooperatively, thinking…

Designed for use primarily by elementary school teacher and parent use, the book presents practical ideas and teaching tips. Each idea is presented in large print on a separate page, accompanied by cartoon-like illustrations. Suggestions begin with things to do the first day of school and progress through the last week of school. Examples of ideas…

This book presents six units filled with games, hints, and special game variations for teaching elementary school physical education classes. It is intended to help physical education teachers increase the time students are active in class, minimize discipline problems, develop healthy attitudes that lead to a lifetime of physical activity, save…

Presents suggestions for making reading instruction exciting and creative both for students and teachers. Describes the creative reading environment, ways the teacher may foster creativity as a result of reading, and ideas for developing creativity based on reading. Lists 20 creative reading activities. (MG)

Discusses classroom projects developed jointly by students and teacher in a sixth grade gifted class. Describes projects involving ghost stories, science research, interviewing authors, the local telephone book, and holiday celebrations. (DHP)

Presents suggestions for elementary-level teachers to use at the beginning of the school year, including meet the teacher activities, back-to-school parades, a welcome bulletin board, bereavement coping skills, creative science, math manipulatives, social studies activities, and creative story writing. (SM)

Discusses a fourth grade class project to write a history of their community. Describes student experiences in learning to take and videotape interviews, preparing a TV newscast about the project, doing research in the county clerk's office and library, and writing the history. Includes suggestions for doing a similar project. (DHP)