This commentary highlights convergent themes from four articles in the March 2009 issue of "Educational Researcher" on measuring classroom instruction. Classroom instruction is a complex enterprise that occurs at the intersection of teachers, students, and texts within the surrounding classroom, school, and community environments. Progress in…

The children's taunt "Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers" gives new credence to the information search process at the elementary school level. Children keep what they find, claim it as their own, and accept information without discernment or critique. This study examines the effectiveness of teaching information literacy skills through…

Federal educational policy, "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001", focused attention on America's education with conspicuous results. One aspect, "highly qualified classroom teacher" and "principal" (HQ), was taxing since states established individual accountability structures. The HQ impact and use of data-informed…

THE WRITING OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WAS STUDIED TO DEVELOP MORE REVEALING PROCEDURES FOR STRUCTURAL ANALYSES OF GRAMMAR. THE WRITINGS OF 54 BOYS AND GIRLS FROM GRADES 4, 8, AND 12 WERE SELECTED AND ANALYZED BY GRADUATE STUDENTS AND THE PROJECT INVESTIGATOR. THE SENTENCE STRUCTURES WERE ANALYZED BY TRANSFORMATIONAL METHODS, WITH EVALUATION MADE ON…

A combination of traditional and movement exploration teaching methods may be most beneficial in teaching physical education activities to elementary school children, the choice of method depending on the type of activity to be taught, the facilities and equipment available, and the expertise of the teacher in the two methods. (MB)

Describes an experiment exploring the effectiveness of four teaching methods: formal teaching, guided discovery, free discovery, and play. Concludes that all methods except free discovery are effective as long as memory is emphasized. Includes the tests used for the experiment in four appendices. Relates present results to previous research. (DK)

Examines a computer-based concordance of 5,760 references from 12 elementary reading methodology textbooks with copyrights ranging from 1985 to 1989. Suggests the existence of a shared example of pedagogical knowledge, which is composed of a complex amalgam of knowledge on philosophy, principles, and practices. (RS)

Discusses action research using nonparametric statistics which are distribution free. Describes the nonparametric statistical technique called the Mann-Whitney U which is analogous to the t-test. Presents hypothetical research problem and illustrates procedures used to analyze data. Includes a computer program for calculating the Mann-Whitney U.…

The methodology for obtaining immanent justice responses was evaluated by means of a replication of Piaget's immanent justice study. Kindergartners and first, third, and fifth graders were presented with four vignettes that allowed for immanent justice responses. Children's responses indicated developmental trends from immature toward mature…

Reviews current teacher evaluation practices with particular focus on the use of observation. Argues that direct observation is an inadequate evaluation technique because it assumes that stability and consistency are necessary for effective teaching. Presents data showing that flexibility is a more accurate characterization of elementary level…

Prompted by recent reanalysis of data from "Teaching Styles and Pupil Progress" (Bennett, 1976), the authors consider whether there is an overall trend in British evidence favoring formal or informal teaching styles and whether this dichotomy is important to future studies of teacher effectiveness. (Author/SJL)

Children should be involved in decisions about treatment for their own misbehavior, and children can make valid judgments about treatment procedures. Reviews data-based research on children's judgments of the acceptability of classroom interventions. Examines critically three areas of methodology in treatment acceptability research: conceptual,…

Average and poor writers were given taped handwriting lessons in one of four combinations of instructional methods: relaxation-suggestion, traditional instruction (Noble's handwriting series), a combination of the two, and relaxation only. The average and poor writers responded differently to the four methods. (SJL)

The integration of instruction on sex role stereotyping into an elementary social studies teaching methodology course is described. The course resulted in students producing nonsexist lessons, as well as achieving the usual methodology goals of the course. (JMF)

This examination of various bases for choosing teaching behaviors emphasizes the teacher's values concerning aims and elements of education. Research data on teaching effectiveness are described as inconsistent. Prescriptions by experts, modeling, and adherence to a philosophical position are useful only when based on teacher's awareness of…