Advice, activities, and techniques for getting the first days and weeks of school off to a smooth start are offered in this compilation of six articles taken from issues of "Instructor" (Aug.-Sep. 1976, Aug. 1980, Aug. 1982, Aug. 1983), "Learning" (Sept. 1982), and "Teacher" (Sept. 1979), magazines. Suggestions for…

How to use traditional techniques to "mainstream" gifted children in a heterogeneous classroom, while meeting their individual needs through differentiated curriculum and voluntary activities. (Editor/SJL)

This article describes a method for writing instruction in which small groups of students meet to read and evaluate each other's writing. A five-day schedule for this "writing family" activity is outlined. (SJL)

A teacher gives insight into the benefits of teaching a combination class. Students of different levels learn to think of themselves as multilevel people, sometimes helping their peers, other times receiving help. Suggestions for planning for two different levels are offered. (DF)

Presents a dynamic class management model for writing instruction, which can be modified over the school year to meet students' changing instructional needs. (SJL)

Describes research testing the hypothesis that complex technologies (or teaching methods) generate more complex organizational structures. Uses two sets of longitudinal data from San Francisco elementary schools. (CK)

Effective class management in elementary physical education makes instructional time more efficient. Class management skills can be enhanced by concentrating on attention management, behavior management, and organizational techniques. Techniques for improving skills in these three areas are outlined. (IAH)

Asks whether the common practice that has been termed "Circle Time" and its variations are a useful classroom practice. Analyzes the ways teachers employ circle time. Critiques the practice of circle time. Argues that the quality of learning is dependent on the quality of reflection by teachers concerning their practice, not on gimmicks.…

Teachers, principals, and supervisors must become very knowledgeable and conversant about different approaches utilized in organizing the language arts curriculum. Thus, the separate subjects approach, the correlated approach, the fused curriculum, and the integrated curriculum represent diverse ways of organizing each of the curriculum areas in…

The negative effects of long-term ability grouping has been discussed often in educational literature, and recent research has identified several areas of concern, including a need for more variety in intra-class instructional grouping. Whole language educators are apparently so dissatisfied with the traditional, rigid three-group plan that they…

Defines the open classroom approach as a pedagogical strategy which emphasizes student interests, student responsibility, and informality without ignoring traditional curriculum content. Outlines the major features of the open classroom approach and suggests ways it might be applied to the elementary math, language arts, social studies, and…

Twenty-eight third grade teachers were observed by a team from the Research and Development Center for Teacher Education at the University of Texas in order to identify discipline and teaching strategies most conducive to the establishment of a successful student-teacher relationship. This package is the result. Ideas and suggestions designed to…

The author taught in an open-space classroom at Argyle Junior High in Montgomery County, Maryland. Here is a candid look at the inner workings of a room without walls. (Editor/RK)

Presents a bibliography of current professional articles on topics such as the open classroom, classroom organization, learning theory, motivation, the use of traditional teaching materials, and reading instruction. (MAI)

Changes in classroom organization and pedagogic style in English primary education are underpinned by normative expectations which diverge from those prevalent in the "traditional" classroom; this is not explicit in the argument comparing American and English approaches. (Author/JM)