Learning is iterative. It takes time and effort. Real progress in any subject requires we engage, motivate, and support learners as they take next steps to improve their work. Brent Duckor and Carrie Holmberg show how teachers can use progress guides as a formative feedback tool to re-engage and support students where they are, while keeping the…

The academic world initially regarded Wikipedia with misgivings for a number of reasons, including the uncertainty concerning the reliability of its content, its anonymous authorship and the fact that students often use it as an easy way to cut and paste material for their coursework. In recent years, however, university instructors' perception of…

Since 1988, the Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB) "High Schools That Work" ("HSTW") Assessment has been providing high schools and technology centers with information on their progress in improving student achievement as well as school and classroom practices. During even-numbered years, more than 1,000…

Over the past 20 years, research has consistently affirmed the importance of explicit vocabulary instruction for adult learners of English as a second language (ESL). Given the significant vocabulary demands faced by adult second language readers, ESL teachers must carefully target their instruction for maximum impact and to foster meaningful…

Discusses the role of the media specialist and offers ideas for library orientation. The concept of invitational education (i.e., education aimed at creating a total school environment that summons teachers and students to realize their potential and to make classrooms inviting) is considered and several related resources are suggested. (MES)

Prepared largely by representatives of Pilot Career Motivation programs from nine Ohio school districts during a summer workshop and subject to correction, revisions, and additions by teachers, this curriculum guide is intended to assist the elementary teacher in implementing a career motivation program, which is the first phase of a 3-phase…

Whenever a class begins to study a new part of the world, teachers must deal with students' preexisting ideas about the area. Activities which will challenge elementary students' initial impressions of Australia and encourage them to learn more about the country are described. (RM)

Urges the use of the newspaper in the teaching of English as a second language. (LG)

This report evaluated the sixth year of the Career Awareness Program for elementary school students in New York City. The program was designed to interest, motivate, and improve language skills of students. Two activity modules, the Publishing Activity Centers (PAC) and the Industrial Arts Mobile Unit were used in the program. The PAC module was…

Designed to assess teachers' attitudes toward writing and the teaching of writing, this questionnaire consists of two parts. The first section covers the personal, educational, and professional background of the informant, while the second section contains 55 statements eliciting the informant's opinion--with a range of five options--about…

Advocates the use of cartoons in science textbooks as a means of presenting scientific concepts in a humorous manner and motivating students. Five cartoons from the Project Physics textbook are presented with descriptive comments. (JR)

Describes several general high school chemistry activities including: (1) making Christmas glassware, (2) some energy-related activities, (3) some learning activity modules developed by the Unigraph Corporation, and (4) some consumer chemistry activities. (CS)

ART IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF A BALANCED PROGRAM FOR THE TOTAL CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF EVERY STUDENT. THIS MANUAL SUGGESTS RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE ART PROGRAM. AN ART PROGRAM SHOULD BE BASED ON THE NEEDS, INTERESTS, AND EXPERIENCES OF THE PUPIL, THEREFORE, THIS GUIDE IS ORGANIZED BY ART AREAS RATHER THAN BY GRADE LEVEL. THIS MANUAL CAN…

The article offers suggestions on utilizing bulletin boards as a motivational device for students enrolled in speech-language therapy. Theme bulletin boards for each month can be coupled with a reward system. (Author/DB)

Discusses types of students and materials and resources used in O- and A-level environmental studies and environmental science courses. Indicates that these subjects are very susceptable to the attitudes of teachers (as shown by their willingness to produce satisfactory materials) and by the motivation of students. (JN)