To better prepare learners for the "knowledge society," educators in Singapore have embarked on a journey in experimenting with knowledge creation pedagogy in classrooms. The Knowledge Creation and Innovative Design Centre was set up to further coordinate this effort. In this article, the authors give an account of the historical…

This book shows teachers how to reclaim their students' attention and, in the process, help them absorb information and stay on task. There are over 30 tips that are practical, not always obvious, and well tested. Three parts focus on: (1) "HotTips for Opening the Lesson" (e.g., fill the room with I.D. posters, ask opening questions, get…

Part of a series offering focused, authoritative treatments of subjects of current interest to educators and other readers, this fastback focuses on the topic of humor, particularly its usefulness in instruction. The fastback asserts that humor can increase attention and retention across curricular areas, create a more positive school climate,…

Reviews the literature for empirical support of the use of humor in classroom teaching. Concludes that the judicious use of humor by a teacher can facilitate student learning, and offers guidelines for its use. (FMW)

Proposing that Socratic seminars can lead to true educational reform, this article examines the use of these seminars to enlarge elementary and secondary students' understanding of ideas and to encourage instruction that is not restricted by established syllabi, courses, or examinations. Socratic discussion is lacking in most classrooms but should…

A collection of 134 practical teaching tips and strategies is offered with the objective of presenting practical innovative ideas, primarily for elementary school teachers. The suggestions are contributed by veteran teachers who were asked to report a practice they successfully used in a classroom or school setting. Subjects range across most…

Explores the implications of envisioning theater and drama in education as a "laboratory for learning," citing that Theatre-In-Education fits the laboratory model by integrating formal theater as aesthetic experience with informal drama as a learning medium. (MM)

This paper addresses factors to consider in establishing a healthy learning environment and a satisfying first-year experience for dance educators. Factors include establishing a positive working relationship with principals and teachers, considering students' physical and emotional development, using discipline, fostering self-management skills,…

Argues that teachers can take advantage of the effectiveness and familiarity of storytelling to present history and to provide students with a useful framework in which to dramatically explore and understand people living in other times and places. Provides a model for developing the use of storytelling in the classroom. (DSK)

Suggestions for creating memorable lessons that keep students' attention include the following: relate what is being taught to students' lives and interests, give students choices, show students that you enjoy teaching, include human emotion and human interest stories, reduce students' negative emotions, make lessons interesting and active, vary…

Outlines the common features of Theatre-In-Education (TIE), and suggests that TIE provides an integrated structure for the heightening of personal, social, cultural, and political consciousness through its commitment to perform and address topics such as sex stereotyping, racism, and child abuse. (MM)

Discusses the role of the teacher, the nature of learning, and the relationships between students and teachers in calling for a science of English teaching. (DF)

This digest paper presents strategies and activities that can be used to encourage gifted students to develop their individual talents in the language arts. Suggestions for exploring poetic language especially free verse, include ideas for creating group poems and catalysts for creating individual poems. Suggestions for exploring the elements of…

This book is designed to help teachers link research and theory regarding creativity to the everyday activities of classroom teaching, providing enough theory and enough examples of applications to enable teachers to convert what they learn to their everyday grouping arrangements, lesson plans, assessment activities, and grading schemes. The book…

Based on the premise that the fairy tale genre can be effectively used as the content base for teaching reading, writing, and thinking skills and processes, this book offers educators ideas and techniques that promote multiple intelligences, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and problem- and product-based learning. Drawing on Bloom's…