Teachers can motivate students to read by offering choices. Ideas for developing a contract strategy for reading are discussed. Optional activities and contract terms for both average and above average students are suggested. (DF)

Math manipulatives that are made from inexpensive, common items help students understand basic mathematics concepts. Learning activities using Cheerios, jellybeans, and clay as teaching materials are suggested. (DF)

A collection of 25 creative teaching tips includes ideas for teaching language arts and mathematics activities. Basic classroom organization techniques are suggested that will help the class run smoothly. These ideas are "teacher tested" and require little preparation and few materials. (DF)

Presented are techniques that elementary and secondary art teachers can use to help students evaluate their own works of art. These include mapping and diagramming, tracings, coverings, cutting apart and placing together, estimating, framing, enlarging and reducing, simplification and elaboration, projecting, playful tools, celebrations and…

Discusses List-Group-Preview, an activity that combines eliciting prior knowledge with guiding students through a new textbook chapter. (FL)

Reviews David Kolb's Experiential Learning Model, stressing its potential for developing or redesigning curricula for adult learners to include learning modes focusing on concrete experience, active experimentation, reflective observation, and abstract conceptualization. Offers a checklist for assessing which modes are accommodated by an…

Lists three guidelines for the sound use of manipulatives in teaching geometry. Also describes activities that use manipulatives to teach topics in geometry and measurement and which illustrate the application of the three guidelines. (JN)

Presents ideas related to: (1) graphs (considering patterns, periodic functions, and problem-solving); (2) curing common errors (such as an incorrect way of canceling); (3) the median of a trapezoid; and (4) using a telephone directory to teach probability, graphing, random-number tables, reading tables, calculating percentages, and other topics.…

Exploratory data analysis (EDA) gives students a feel for the data being considered. Four applications of EDA are discussed: the use of displays, resistant statistics, transformations, and smoothing. (RM)

Describes the Onarga Project, in which a group of business students worked with the people of Onarga, Illinois, to revitalize a dying community, and how business teachers can incorporate some of the ideas to improve students' understanding of small business. Discusses preliminary planning, project activities, and specific learning activities to…

Suggest that teachers start the school year,each school day, and each daily reading lesson with reading activities designed to motivate student interest in reading. Offers ideas for use at each of these times. (FL)

Considers the use of cartoons for vocabulary development. (HOD)

Requests successful classroom teaching activities for publication. Three activities are included for review. (BJD)

Activities for selecting, naming, matching, recording, and reproducing fractions are presented, using a variety of illustrations and materials. (MNS)

How the concept of function sheds new light on one of the central tasks of algebra, that of solving equations, is discussed. Many specific examples are presented, and a theoretical basis is included. (MNS)