A learning center is a designated area of the classroom where resources are provided to guide individuals and groups of children in specific activities. The rationale, suggestions for themes, and design and construction of the learning center are examined. (Author/DE)

Offering more practical ideas and a rich description of how their curriculum moved from writing and reading to include inquiry, the first half of this book focuses on the authoring cycle and the ways in which educators have used the cycle as a curricular framework. The second half of the book provides detailed descriptions of "curricular…

Problems such as poor test performance and low student motivation require that those in the educational system seriously consider restructuring the way they teach. For many years, content has been taught in periods of isolated time units; however, this Carnegie unit is an anachronism that needs to be eliminated. The alternative to the Carnegie…

Principles and techniques important in the integration of real communication skills and practice in classroom activities within a student-centered curriculum are outlined and discussed. The need for a classroom environment promoting real communication is stressed, and materials design principles are noted. The role of explicit grammar instruction…

This guide, a complement to "Project Approach: Developing the Basic Framework," was written to clarify particular structural features of good project work. The guide's introduction provides background information on the philosophy and methods of the Project Approach. The core of the book is divided into four parts. The first three parts…

The GALAXY Classroom, developed as a nation-wide reform effort, was designed to make a significant positive difference in the educational lives of elementary school students who have traditionally been labeled "at-risk." As part of a 2-year demonstration and research phase, 39 elementary schools across the United States (and one school…

Some promising educational reforms are aimed at the classroom (strengthening the interaction between students and teachers and enhancing the curriculum). Change models most likely to succeed are those that give teachers, students, and other stakeholders a clear, common vision of their school's direction. When teachers translate visions into…

Discusses the complex interplay between adults' and children's choices by introducing Henry James' fictional character, Maisie. Examines aspects of first graders' computer use, and considers how adult-determined purposes of the curriculum correspond with children's own worlds. Urges educators to make curriculum choices in collaboration with…

The creation of a classroom that is more receptive to individual and cultural differences and the inclusion of the intangible elements of culture in the total instructional plan will increase the effectiveness of the educational process in bilingual-bicultural programs. In planning a cultural component for the bilingual-bicultural classroom, the…

Discusses early adolescence as the second most critical stage of development, and the importance of recognizing this when planning a middle school program. Describes how one school met the pressures of logistics and community expectations to develop a classroom that was responsive to the individual student in light of the characteristics and needs…

If you're tired of books that portray effective classrooms as well-oiled machines, then here's a book that gives you a more realistic view of classroom life while it reveals the universal truths of high-quality teaching: (1) Why teaching requires continuous assessment, analysis, and adjustment; (2) How teachers set strict expectations and still…

Based on recent reports in the science education literature, curricular modifications were made to one section of a freshman-level general chemistry course. Assessment results indicate that these modifications resulted in a more student-centered learning environment and increased student learning and satisfaction as compared to results from…

This book provides a wide variety of strategies for differentiating instruction for students in grades 3-12. Chapter 1 presents an overview of differentiated content, process, and product, and the role of the teacher in a differentiated classroom. Chapter 2 focuses on the first step of differentiation: gathering information about students. Chapter…

Intended for teachers, this book is a compilation of articles on effectively creating and maintaining an interactive classroom, one in which the teacher uses a wide repertoire of teaching strategies, organizational tools, problem-solving techniques, and consensus building methods. Section 1 discusses improving schools and schooling's role in…

Discusses the development of a project-based approach to history instruction as a result of student dissatisfaction with a more traditional curriculum. Maintains that interested and motivated students take more responsibility for their learning. Presents project descriptions and provides recommendations for implementing the approach. (CFR)