Describes a "lunch theater" project implemented at Hampstead Central School in Hampstead, New Hampshire. Groups of first through fourth graders rehearsed and performed songs, dances, magic, comedy, gymnastics, and student-written skits during their respective lunch periods for an audience of fellow students, staff, and teachers. Students…

In this article, the author shares her experience in visiting Mount Lebanon School in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. Mount Lebanon (pre K-3) calls itself a school community, and that community has a strong showing in every aspect of school life, beginning with the way the building is laid out. To get almost anywhere in Mount Lebanon School, one has…

Discusses how the National Information Infrastructure (NII), the "information superhighway," can be used in classrooms to help reach the targets established by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. Describes specific projects undertaken by schools to utilize the NII, and the role of computer technology in the classroom. (MDM)

Outlines 76 activities that teachers and parents can use with prekindergarten through fourth-grade students to help improve their (1) auditory and visual discrimination; (2) comprehension; (3) creative writing; (4) inquisitiveness; (5) map reading ability; (6) numeration; (7) oral expression; (8) reading; (9) reasoning; and (10) spelling and…

In this article, the author discusses the importance of having a daily classroom agenda, and provides some tips for developing and implementing an effective agenda. An agenda is simply a detailed list of all the things students must do and what teachers hope to accomplish on a particular school day. It should include lesson plans, special classes…

Discusses the importance of parent and family involvement in education, as outlined by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act of 1994, which introduced a new national education objective calling for increased family and parent participation. Examines techniques and initiatives used by teachers and schools to foster parent and family involvement. (MDM)

Discusses the origins and operation of The Manhattan New School, an alternative elementary school in New York City that opened in 1991, with a focus on the extensive staff development and literacy programs conducted by the school. (MDM)

Describes a project undertaken by students and their teachers at Bolin School in East Peoria, Illinois, to send stuffed animals person-to-person around the world and back via friends and families. Journals attached to the animals recorded their travels, and hundreds of letters were sent to the school as a result of the project. (MDM)