Offers guidelines to help elementary teachers motivate underachievers to work. The article recommends encouraging effort by making assigned tasks realistic, focusing students' attention on their own progress, rewarding all effort, giving all students a chance to demonstrate competence in class, and letting students set their own goals. (SM)

Describes how an elementary teacher encouraged her students to read novels using cooperative group activities based on popular television shows. Students divided into groups, took different roles, read a novel, and made a presentation to the class. When they finished the novel, they selected a new activity. (SM)

By insisting that a student master a skill before progressing to a more complex task, a teacher can help that student build a firm foundation for further learning experiences. (JD)

To make elementary science students grasp the scientific concepts being taught, teachers must not ignore their preconceived ideas. Instead, teachers must identify misconceptions then help the students test them. The article presents a step-by-step approach that can serve as a model for teaching any science concept. (SM)

A second grade teacher describes how a difficult student with learning disabilities blossomed over the course of the school year. The article examines her whole class approach and presents strategies for including such a student in creative writing activities. (SM)

Learning activities to help encourage students' consumer awareness and develop their consumer skills are suggested. Objectives include teaching students to: (1) distinguish between wants and needs; (2) understand advertising; and (3) read labels and compare prices. Other information sources and reading materials for children are listed. (PP)