Not your typical how-to manual for new teachers, this no-nonsense, jargon-free elementary school teacher resource offers a wide variety of tools and tactics for getting through every school day with grace and sanity. Covered in glue, glitter, orange juice--or worse? Make a quick change into the spare set of clothes you keep on hand for just this…

Learning-by-doing centers, an approach based on theories by J. Piaget and The High Scope program's cognitively oriented curriculum, strengthens the problem-solving skills of learning disabled students. (CL)

Addresses major issues in teachers' reluctance to use woodworking centers with young children: (1) too noisy; (2) too dangerous; (3) just for boys; and (4) too expensive. Explains why woodworking can be beneficial to children and how to begin creating and using a woodworking center. (EV)

Appropriate curricula for full-time kindergarten children must emphasize creativity in several subject areas, including arts and crafts, science, social studies, mathematics, thinking, and language arts. This article offers practical suggestions for providing kindergarten children with opportunities to be creative in several ways. Arguments…

Interest development centers allow gifted students in regular classrooms to explore a variety of individually selected topics. Suggestions are offered for planning and implementing the centers. (CL)

A practicum project was developed to provide self-directed learning opportunities for all 10 members of a kindergarten enrichment group. Specifically, the project was implemented over a period of 10 weeks to help students gain independent work habits, to improve their care of materials, and to raise their reading ability by one grade level. Ten…

Discusses the logic of a learning environment approach for young children, suggests room and equipment arrangements, and provides ideas for effective learning centers. (RJC)

Provided are 16 questions and answers about the development of rapport between young children and their caregivers. A self-assessment review for caregivers who are trying to develop rapport is offered. Also included is a brief outline of an interest center approach to play that specifies materials, ideas, and activities in the areas of social…

Presents floor plans and activity schedules for primary grade, middle grade, and secondary school classrooms as a guide for teachers who wish to maximize access to classroom microcomputers through the use of small interactive learning centers. (MBR)

Many experts agree that high-quality television can be an excellent supplement to active learning in the classroom and at home. This guide contains activities for children ages 3 to 6, each activity incorporating a theme or topic related to an episode of "Arthur" presented during the program's third season on the Public Broadcasting…

Suggestions for teachers conducting open houses, in which parents see the progress and work of their children, are presented. Various ways to display student work, make a positive impression, and elicit parent participation are described. (CJ)

Describes characteristics of a good learning environment. Discusses the role of teachers, planning, building activities, learning centers and stations, and resources. (RJC)

Examines how young children's everyday group experiences contain important opportunities for adults to model and teach skills and understandings that can lead to a more peaceful world. Presents specific ideas for creating a peaceful atmosphere in the classroom and embedding peace concepts into the early-childhood curriculum, including the use of a…

This module focuses on the use of play as a natural and effective means for expanding the learning opportunities for young children in special preschool settings. It includes discussions of the different roles teachers assume as they incorporate play into their curriculum. The guide highlights instructional approaches which promote child learning,…

Pupils' natural questioning attitudes lead them to discovery in a learning center, in contrast to the lecture method, by which information is forced on students regardless of their interests. This paper describes learning experiences built around rocks. Materials placed in a rock center (rocks, stones, pebbles, magnifying glasses hammers, and…