In the Bulgarian public space social distances and stereotypes regarding the Roma ethnicity are still difficult to overcome. This process' impact on the social development of the Roma child is an indisputable fact that has negative social implications when the child joins the school community. Predicting and overcoming these consequences implies…

The educational practices of the municipality of Reggio Emilia, Italy, are celebrated as among the best in the world. Inspired by this educational system, schools across America have adapted the Reggio Emilia approach. Yet, music educators may be unaware of its principles as the approach is not often discussed in music education literature. The…

How teaching and learning takes place in classrooms can be easily seen by the way classrooms are set up: Students' desks and chairs are arranged in rolls while teachers' desks are up front. Yet, why must teachers be the ones who lecture, why can't it be students? Would it be better or worse when teachers are the receivers and the students are the…

A new pedagogy is emerging, placing students at the centre of the learning process and encouraging teachers to draw from a larger repertoire of strategies and skills to lead interdisciplinary and project-based work. The best learning is authentic--engaging students in their own learning in practical and real-life contexts that demonstrate the…

What features of the physical environment in video game arcades lead kids to be so engaged? How can analysis of arcade space inform language arts teachers' decisions about designing classroom environments? This article presents an analysis of physical space in video game arcades and participants' positions therein to suggest how language arts…

Well-informed teachers of young children recognize the importance of children's social development. The development of social skills lays a critical foundation for later academic achievement as well as work-related skills. Social development is such a key issue with young children that a number of methods to address social skills have been…

Describes the next generation of technology classrooms based on experiences at Lehigh University (Pennsylvania). Topics include learner-centered rather than instructor-centered instruction; size; interactivity; and technology features, emphasizing flexibility and interactive technology. An appendix lists selected classroom technology Web sites and…

Embedded in the public mind and school architectural design is a deeply rooted image of teaching. This traditional image, established well over a century ago, persists despite a continued interest and repeated efforts on the part of educators to change the every day experiences of teachers and students. Indeed, examinations of teacher practices…

Relates personal experiences to the challenges of the inclusive classroom. Details recommendations for inclusive classrooms, including the following: value each child's uniqueness; individualize expectations and goals; adapt the classroom environment to support children's needs; tailor staff responsibilities to support children's needs; and…

Describes the "workability" of a K/1--kindergarten/first grade--multi-age classroom. (BB)

Describes the work of the Classroom Environment Committee at Binghamton University (New York) that created classroom standards for multimedia technology when renovating classrooms. Discusses data display, network connections, screens, laptop computers, lighting, furniture, design considerations, and the need for communication with faculty. (LRW)

This three-part paper describes the development of a software program called "The Growth Curve of Microorganisms" for a tenth-grade biology class. Designed to improve students' cognitive skills, the program enables them to investigate, through computer simulations, the impact upon the growth curve of a population of three variables: temperature,…

Describes the experimental preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, providing a brief history and an overview of their guiding educational philosophy. Notes their distinguishing features, including an image of the child's social construction of learning, cognizance of children's sense of time, involvement of parents and the community, collaboration…

This introductory handbook is intended to provide teachers with an overview of the Primary Education Program (PEP), designed for use with children at preschool, kindergarten and first grade levels. Background information on the development of PEP is presented and the rationale and design of the program are discussed. Briefly discussed are the…

Because the issues of time, numbers, curriculum, and evaluation seem to confound effective mainstreaming at the secondary school level, they are the primary areas teachers must reassess in their own classrooms. Suggestions are made in this monograph about ways in which regular classroom teachers may cope effectively with handicapped students. A…