Students tend to perform at the academic level expected of them. Although most expectation research has centered investigation of decontextualized teacher-student dyads to understand whether students behaviorally confirm their teacher's expectation, we now know that expectations operate at whole-group or system levels. Since underestimation is…

A teacher learned that by positively stimulating students to be creative he was able to help them and himself develop the control necessary to a productive classroom. (RK)

The paper reviews research on normally hearing students that has implications for understanding the motivation of hearing-impaired students, suggesting that classroom motivational orientation of students depends upon which orientation is rewarded and encouraged. This paper focuses on three orientations: autonomy, competition, and cooperation.…

This book shows teachers how to reclaim their students' attention and, in the process, help them absorb information and stay on task. There are over 30 tips that are practical, not always obvious, and well tested. Three parts focus on: (1) "HotTips for Opening the Lesson" (e.g., fill the room with I.D. posters, ask opening questions, get…

The physical environment of the learning disabilities classroom is an important factor in shaping student attitudes toward learning and toward themselves. Five dimensions to consider in analyzing a classroom include visual signs, auditory messages, kinesthetic input, tactile input, and awareness of time (i.e., seasons, current events, and student…

The four dimensions of the creative personality--thinking, sensing, intuition, and feeling--are described, as are the creative process (including preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification) and ways in which teachers can assess and promote creativity. Creative classroom environments and teaching methods are detailed. (CB)

Children's reasons for adhering to classroom achievement, moral, and conventional norms were collected. Reasons were coded into intrinsic and extrinsic categories. Developmental change and individual consistency in offering of intrinsic reasons across domains was assessed. (PCB)

Presents a set of principles to serve as guides for motivating students: inviting success, cooperative learning, high expectations, set induction, and interaction. Includes a scorecard for rating motivational skills. (MD)

A possible categorization of typical teacher types is presented to help explain why certain students are drawn to particular teachers. (LB)

In separate articles under the same title, both authors stress the importance of students' feelings of self-esteem and well-being in the classroom. The frequency of interaction with teachers, which directly influences self-esteem, diminishes as children move toward ninth grade while attitude toward school and school subjects becomes increasingly…

The reading program described in this lesson plan outlines a "just for fun" book club that was a student-organized, student-driven reading experience that built community in the classroom and encouraged students to read independently, taking responsibility for their literacy learning. During 5 to 15 minute lessons every other day,…

The social psychological constructs postulated by Garner, Clement et al. are integrated into a proposed new framework of second/foreign language (L2) learning motivation. The proposed model comprises three levels: language, learner, and learning situation. Practical examples for motivating L2 learners are presented. (55 references) (LB)

Reviews the research on competition in classrooms for gifted students. It finds that competitive classroom structures involving extrinsic rewards may undermine the task commitment and involvement characteristic of intrinsic motivation and that this relationship is stronger for gifted students than for other students. Some short-term benefits of…

Recent research offers strong evidence that reduced class size has positive effects on improved student achievement, teachers' work conditions, and the quality of the classroom environment. This report presents a brief historical perspective on the research into the effects of class size; summarizes studies that discuss the relationship between…

For effective teaching, the author asserts, student self-direction must be matched to an appropriate degree of teacher direction and both adjusted for group dynamics of the classroom. Accounting for these three levels of activity, a schematic analysis is drawn of the total teaching situation, and strategies are suggested that adapt teaching style…