Investigated were 286 third-year elementary education students to determine instructor characteristics which most enhanced credibility in courses intended to develop a positive attitude toward teaching science. High credibility characteristics included: reference to practical activities, modeling teaching modes, past teaching experience,…

An elementary music education program designed to encourage creativity and cooperative learning was evaluated over a year with 42 experimental and 61 control fourth-grade students. Results indicated that the elementary music teachers involved were able to adapt cooperative-learning models which influenced students' creativity and attitudes toward…

This study investigates sense of community as a central integrating factor promoting students' attachments to school and thereby their striving to adopt the school's norms and values. Data from observations of 232 elementary classrooms and from student questionnaires were used to test a model linking teacher classroom practices to students' sense…

In response to the search for ways to create forms of schooling that are more holistic and natural, and more integrated and interwoven, this collection of articles pulls together elements of the multifaceted concept of curriculum integration. Divided into six sections, the chapters explore the reasons and rationale for moving toward more holistic…

Indicates the importance of preparing prospective teachers who will be elementary science teachers with different methods. Presents the theoretical and practical rationale for developing a constructivist-based elementary science methods course. Discusses the impact student knowledge and understanding of science and student attitudes has on…

This book provides teachers with strategies for maintaining and increasing appropriate behaviors as well as for preventing and remediating inappropriate behaviors. The 15 chapters provide suggestions and approaches to managing, motivating, and teaching students of all ability and motivational levels. The first three chapters address goals for…

"Looping" is an essentially simple concept: a teacher moves with his or her students to the next grade level, rather than sending them to another teacher at the end of the school year. This Digest explores the practitioners' perspectives on looping, the experience of European school systems, and research on looping. Practitioners report…

This study assessed the effect of the Success for All school reform model on the standardized reading scores, attendance, and disciplinary needs of 217 students in three elementary schools using the program and 132 similar students in three other urban schools. The schools were also compared using teacher, student, and parent perception data on…

Examines teaching methods in elementary social studies classrooms. Interviews fifth and sixth grade students regarding their perceptions of social studies. Finds instruction relies heavily on textbooks. Shows half of the students dislike social studies. Includes students' verbatim comments. Designs teaching approaches based on students' preference…

This study was conducted to investigate how teacher educators might help preservice teachers enrolled in a science methods course understand the need for mutual respect rather than coercion between pupil and teacher in an elementary classroom. An evaluation instrument was developed that consisted of a pre and post open-ended response to a…

An integrated mathematics/science elementary methods course was developed as part of Connecticut's statewide systemic initiative. Considers: (1) What does integration mean? (2) What content should be taught? and (3) How should it be taught? Implementation team included an exemplary elementary teacher. Appendix presents a sample integrated lesson.…

Professionals as well as parents will find here an argument and model for implementing humanistic education in public schools at all levels. Steming from the Elementary School Teaching Project by the Ford Foundation which found that the student's feelings influence his ability to learn, this book attempts to develop a model which will utilize the…