Despite the expansion of bully-proofing programs in recent years, many teachers feel they lack the training necessary to manage the complexities of friendship at work in the classroom and on the playground. Teachers want their students to be friends and to be kind to each other. The reality is, all children have moments in which they are unkind.…

Presents a series of skill-building activities for teaching students how to follow oral and written directions. (JMB)

Computer software to build skills and encourage family computer time over the summer are recommended for teachers to send home to parents. Programs include games based on classic adventure stories, a shopping mall game to encourage math skills, and keyboarding programs. (MT)

Presents several pages of ideas for games that build children's skills in the following areas: reasoning, communication, encoding/decoding, decision making, visual acuity, and cause/effect. (CM)

Briefly describes how to help children improve their interviewing skills. (JMB)

Discusses replacing the product term composition'' with the process term composing.'' (Author)

A description of the hierarchy of learning'' suggested by Gagne in the book, The Conditions of Learning.'' (SP)

Plastic Easter eggs are useful devices for teaching basic mathematics skills, from counting activities to graphing. Eggs are used to reinforce addition, subtraction, and multiplication skills; column addition, estimation, statistics, and other topics are introduced. Sample activities are described. (JL)

Teachers may use classroom cooking projects to encourage students to read. While developing basic reading skills, students also learn to follow directions and to cooperate in a group project. Three sample recipes are given. The article outlines steps to successfully complete a classroom cooking project. (JL)

Describes a special help program at the Roosevelt Elementary School in South Plainfield, New Jersey, involving the development of physical skills, with social and academic aspects as well. (NL)

Part of a section, "4 Reading Techniques that Work.

Part of a section, "4 Reading Techniques that Work.

Songs aren't just for singing. Use them to develop writing, vocabulary, and creative thinking skills. Two teachers tell how. (Editor)

Excessive emphasis on objectives can lead to teachers who are good compliers, not necessarily good teachers. Teachers can become so preoccupied with evaluations, record keeping, and paperwork deadlines that they haven't time or energy to reflect on their teaching. (MT)

For homework assignments to be effective, they must serve to develop skills and help students gain a sense of accomplishment. Suggestions for developing interesting, positive homework assignments that use contracts and skill cards are offered. (DF)