In the author's book titled "The Incredible Water Show," the characters from "Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster" used an ocean of information to stage an inventive performance about the water cycle. In this article, the author relates how she turned the story into hands-on science teaching for real-life fifth-grade students. The author also…

A social studies wax museum can teach elementary students facts as they celebrate Halloween. A primary activity has students determine historic scenes to include in the wax museum, practice their poses, and put on a Halloween show. An intermediate activity has students research historic events, interpret information, create backdrops and props,…

Presents class activities to help elementary students learn about changes in the state of matter by making ice cream. In addition to making observations on the changes of state, students can practice measuring and identifying the properties (e.g., color, size, and shape). (SM)

Nine lessons are presented to help teachers incorporate a critical thinking program into their curriculum. The activities related address three skill areas: communication, creativity and problem solving. (IAH)

Presents strategies for peer conferences to help elementary students grow as writers. The strategies help make the process easier and more efficient. Suggestions are that teachers have warm-up activities, provide a conference space, allow students to choose conference partners, and have students keep records during conferences. (SM)

Describes how technology helped one elementary teacher meet the needs and celebrate the strengths of all his students in a mixed-ability-grouped, student-centered classroom. Technology allowed the children many more choices for different kinds of learning and helped them develop their individual strengths. (SM)

The article helps elementary teachers develop science programs geared to their students, emphasizing the appropriateness of hands-on activities and developmental learning. It presents three Earth Day water projects on rain and puddles, water drops and surface tension, and water purification that can be tailored for specific classes. (SM)

Elementary computer teacher describes a summer program in which fifth graders cooperatively created a computer-based city planning unit. Students strengthened math, writing, technology, and problem-solving skills as they organized and used a bank, purchased property, proposed and designed buildings, and assembled the futuristic city using a…

The article presents strategies used by elementary teachers from around the country to promote mathematics learning in the classroom. Their ideas include using manipulatives, participating in cooperative learning, keeping math journals, collecting portfolios, and reading literature that relates to math concepts in real life. (SM)

Three articles discuss how to help elementary students grow. The first explains how teachers can weave a broader safety net for children with chaotic lives. The second presents year-end cooperative games for testing students' communication skills. The third offers take-home summer activities for parents and children. (SM)

A summary is given of research that indicates that, regardless of ability, most students who take a teaching role learn much more than they do when they receive instruction or work independently. Suggestions are given on techniques and activities teachers can use to promote students helping students. (IAH)

Describes an elementary arithmetic project that involves reading, writing, and counting skills. Students collaboratively create a tooth-shaped book designed to strengthen their counting skills as they celebrate losing baby teeth. The article also includes other activities to further extend the project. (SM)

A large class that must share one computer can still get the benefits of adventure/simulation software if students work in small groups. Teamwork stimulates sharing and cooperation. The importance of planning, useful peripherals, follow-up activities, and product information are included in this article. (IAH)

Presents suggestions for teaching students about poetry by using pets. The article recommends discussing poems about pets, writing with rhyme to describe pets, writing free-verse sketches about pets, collaboratively describing pets, and studying line breaks by writing one-line descriptions of imaginary pets. A reproducible teacher page offers two…

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)