High-quality digital learning experiences are built on the foundational principles of providing equitable, inclusive, accessible learning environments for all students. In addition, high-quality digital learning experiences are well-organized and thoughtfully designed. These experiences rely on instructional design principles and strategies to…

Many physical educators have limited dance experience and may lack the skills, knowledge and confidence to teach dance in their school programs. Yet, including dance units in physical education curriculums can provide positive experiences for students who may not enjoy traditional instruction. This article provides step-by-step instructions for…

At this moment in history when so many of teachers feel constantly pressed for time and deluged with information, they need to rethink why they address, or do not address, current events in K-8 classrooms. Children are persistently interacting with images on screens of all sizes and shapes. Teachers need to consider how they can best use their…

Today's teachers need up-to-the-minute information to help their students make sense of the multimodal texts they encounter daily in and out of school. "Reading the Visual" is an essential introduction that focuses on what teachers should "know" about multimodal literacy and how to "teach" it. This engaging book…

The newly updated "Content-Based Curriculum for High-Ability Learners" provides a solid introduction to curriculum development in gifted and talented education. Written by experts in the field of gifted education, this text uses cutting-edge design techniques and aligns the core content with national and state standards. In addition to a revision…

The article points out ways in which special education teachers can use advertising techniques to select curriculum materials. Suggested criteria include the product's design and image, testimonials, promise and benefits, newness and novelty, headlines, brand names and companies, and pricing. A checklist of nine questions for material evaluation…

Guidelines for selecting electronic audio/video toys and games for children with handicaps are discussed, and information on 13 games (such as "Simon" and "Merlin") is provided. (CL)

The author offers guidelines for ascertaining which instructional materials will best meet the needs of handicapped students. Commercially produced and teacher developed materials particularly useful for integrating handicapped students into regular classes are listed. Information on each material includes title, publisher, and a brief…

Factors to consider in selecting a microcomputer are listed with characteristics of microcomputers at three price ranges. (MNS)

Factors for assessing classroom material for creative thinking are presented as a series of questions. Does it: (1) make associations or analogies? (2) blend thought with feeling?; (3) promote flexible thinking? (4) have visual or semantic imagery? (5) provide structure? (6) provide opportunities to extend, embellish, transfer, or transform?. (VW)

Offers some new approaches to film previewing designed to save time and money for both film distributors and users. (FL)

Describes a tool for finding texts that match children's decoding skills. Begins with an overview of current thinking and research on the use of decodable text in beginning reading instruction. Presents five steps to show how teachers can locate decodable texts that match and supplement their phonics instruction. (SG)

This learning activity develops algorithms to ensure that the process of selecting materials is well defined and sound. These procedures require the use of many databases to provide the designer with information such as physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of the materials under consideration. A design brief, student quiz, and five…

Shows why aesthetic reading is a crucial pedagogic component in lessons using historical fiction and non-fiction. Provides criteria for selecting high quality books dealing with historical subjects for use in aesthetic reading activities. Discusses specific teaching strategies for promoting aesthetic reading. (SG)

Notes that whatever the unit, educators can include a wide range of materials: informational picture and chapter books; biographies and photographic essays; and Internet, newspaper, and magazine articles. Discusses how the use of multiple texts can help all students become a part of the same community of readers. Provides a list of references that…