Author Wiley Blevins is renowned for changing the way educators think about teaching children to read, helping thousands of teachers implement effective phonics instruction. Now, Blevins gets us to think in powerful new ways about differentiating whole-class phonics lessons, so students at every skill level can engage. With Blevins' trademark…

Improvisation-based exercises may be the key to unlocking students' innate musical creativities. This article focuses on two exercises--drone improvisation and circle stringing--that can be easily integrated into the orchestra curriculum and adapted to the learning needs of the individual student, small-ensemble, and large-ensemble settings. Of…

This article describes a progressive methodology for teaching the tennis serve to large groups with a focus on optimizing practice opportunities and providing individual feedback to players. Specifically, it delineates teaching the serve to 24 players on two courts. The methodology can be adapted for more players and/or more courts as appropriate,…

Courses: Large-lecture; public speaking, business, professional, and technical communication; sales and marketing courses; courses with team-based projects. Objectives: To provide opportunities to develop public speaking skills, especially in large-lecture courses; to improve public speaking endurance; to improve students' abilities to give…

Mastering algebra is important for future math and postsecondary success. Educators will find practical recommendations for how to improve algebra instruction in the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) practice guide, "Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students". The methods and examples included in…

This book presents a research-supported framework for early literacy instruction that aligns with multi-tiered response-to-intervention (RTI) models. The book focuses on giving teachers a better understanding of literacy development and how to effectively support children as they begin to read and write. The authors' interactive strategies…

With many learning goals to be met, preschool teachers may wonder how to accomplish all of them. This book is intended to show teachers how to maximize the scope and power of instruction through integration across content domains and learning contexts. Focusing on language, literacy, and mathematics, the author introduces strategies to bolster…

Presents a technique for use with large groups of children to provide them with practice in fluent reading. (FL)

Uses a question box for comments in large communication classes--61 questions deposited by 250 students in an introductory interpersonal communication course were used to construct a questionnaire to determine student perceptions of involvement, instructor quality, course quality, and learning as a result of the question/comment box. Attempts to…

Argues that a problem for teachers of large sections of introductory psychology is developing high levels of student interest. Describes a method for creating and maintaining such interest that involves using students' written responses to a question about changing their lives as material for classroom discussion of relevant topics. (DSK)

Describes how a telephone answering device was used to reduce administrative overload in a large televised course. (PD)

Several teachers contribute their tested ideas for projects that involve a large group of students. Included are: an archaelogical dig; a school mural; a visit from a children's author; and a whale-watching field trip. (SJL)

Discusses how formative assessment workshops aid students in large classes. Sessions provide students with some feedback using multiple choice or short answer questions presented by tutors on TV monitors. At the conclusion of the workshops, tutors make themselves available to answer questions. (AIM)

Techniques to keep students interested include videotaped demonstrations and a self-paced, unit-mastery approach. When lecturing, teachers should use a microphone, maintain eye contact with students in all sections of the room, use an overhead projector and write clearly, talk about interesting topics, be dramatic, and share their experiences and…

At large universities, optional seminars that dovetail with large-enrollment courses can provide meaningful small-class experiences for students who want them. Describes a course offered in conjunction with a large-enrollment Geology of the National Parks course that allows in-depth discussion of course materials and related topics as well as…