Teaching financial literacy is important at all stages of life, but is often neglected with elementary students. In this article, the authors describe a strategy for teaching financial literacy using the books about Max and Ruby by Rosemary Wells. These books can help introduce the five key concepts of financial literacy: scarcity, exchange,…

This brief column offers ten tips on how to revive classroom learning centers by cleaning up, reassessing spaces, and adding fresh materials. Some of the tips include: create colorful banners; provide inspirational materials; and share surprise boxes.

Students in a fourth-grade class participated in a series of dynamic sound learning centers followed by a dramatic capstone event--an exploration of the amazing Trashcan Whoosh Waves. It's a notoriously difficult subject to teach, but this hands-on, exploratory approach ignited student interest in sound, promoted language acquisition, and built…

This study unit contains suggestions for learning activities in the area of computer science. Ideas are provided for creating a computer-interest center, books and references about computers, and class activities. (CJ)

This article explains the components of the reading box and trading program wherein each student creates an activity box based on books. The boxes contain books, comprehension folders, and games and activities for developing language arts, reading and thinking skills. (KC)

Offers some suggestions that can be used to maximize the literacy learning that can and needs to occur during independent learning time. Presents three possible classroom organizational structures, and elaborates on the one that many teachers are (re)discovering: learning centers. Concludes that independent activities must set up children for…

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…

This article describes how to structure a unit on historical fiction around a creative arts center that allows students to explore and express themes they read about. Included are short descriptions of books; suggested materials for a creative arts center; and related activities in music, art, drama, and creative writing. (IAH)

Highlights the importance of helping children understand the role of farms, farmers, machinery, animals, and land in everyday life. Contains background information on farming and suggestions for related classroom centers for writing, art, library, block, dramatic play, cooking, discovery, math, and song and movement. Also includes suggestions for…

Presents suggestions for encouraging practice in the science process skill of classification in early childhood setting learning centers. Includes activities for centers in the areas of home, art, wet and dry, science, language arts, and mathematics. (KB)

Drawing from her own experiences, teacher and author Laureen Reynolds shares management strategies, helpful suggestions, and quick tips to take the mystery out of setting up centers and demonstrates how to make the most of valuable classroom time. The activities outlined in this book are designed to appeal to students of all abilities, and range…

Learning centers are areas in a classroom, such as a corner in the room, that define a specific focus or afford a unique learning opportunity. Learning takes place when students reinforce skills by using the skills in interesting, meaningful, relevant, and social contexts. Learning centers can aid this reinforcement by giving students…

The handouts from the Ohio conference PACE (Positive Approaches to Children's Education) VI are presented. Among them are: (1) "Hugs" (submitted by A. Braselton); (2) "Rhythmic Activities for 2001" (L. Hardman); (3) "A Strategy for Cognitive Development in Physical Education" (C. Regimal); (4) "It's the Kids That…

Facts about the geological formation and modern functions of Niagara Falls are given in this article, the second in a series about natural wonders. Questions for class discussion, directions for making a model waterfall, possible writing topics, and resources for further information about waterfalls are included. (PP)

Described is an activity center for independent study designed to create in students an awareness of the colorful background of the English language while increasing their vocabularies and enhancing their knowledge of other countries. Activities focus on six countries: Italy, France, Ireland, Holland, Spain, and England. (Author/KC)