The development of self is an important part of formal education, and related to the notion of self is the development of "Bildung," or cultivation of the self. "Bildung" has been an integral part of curriculum theory in the United States. However, despite many theoretical debates on "Bildung" in the literature, there…

The author, the 2014 National Teacher of the Year, discusses why it's important to create a caring classroom culture and shares his strategies for doing so.

Introductory college courses are designed to comprehensively introduce divergent disciplines (Zipp, 2012) and can prepare students to understand the risks for multiple minoritized identities in their fields of study (Shriberg, 2016). This approach is effective, however, only if faculty are appropriately equipped to use intersectional pedagogy.…

With a national sample of 700 Native American students who took the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), this study tested the ways faculty interaction and inclusion of diverse perspectives in the classroom contributed to learning for Native American students. Significant predictors of learning were quality academic advising, faculty…

Lecturers are challenged when creating safe, dialogic-educative spaces for first-year students (freshman), where optimal teaching-learning of academic writing can be accomplished. This paper reports on a project aimed at creating a safe, dialogic-educative space in which first-year students may attain and practice academic writing skills providing…

This article develops a theoretical understanding of the processes involved in the co-construction of a written text by a teacher and student from a Vygotskian perspective. Drawing on cultural-historical and sociocultural theories of writing and Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), this case study of a student and teacher…

In this article, the author talks about big questions of meaning and value that young people pose and how to respond to their concerns about big questions. He relates the story of his granddaughter, Charlotte, who, at the age of one, would climb up on the stairs not from choice or whim, but "because they're there." For her, it was not play, but…

This paper argues that the creation of communities of literacy practice in classrooms can contribute to students' development of learnings of and about language, literacy, and texts. Such development can occur when literacy learning is seen as a social practice shaped by complex and dynamic participants and events. In these communities,…

From 1990 to 1999, almost 15 million children in the United States experienced the divorce of their parents. Children experience varied effects from the divorce process, and they carry these effects with them into the classroom. By knowing what possible effects may occur, educators can be better equipped to effectively teach the children from…

Fostering the lifelong habit of reading is a vitally important goal that educators should embrace. When teaching and learning are connected to lifetime literacy efforts, students are in a better position to learn effectively and to develop the love of learning. Many teachers and administrators have demonstrated a keen interest in helping their…

Article addresses itself to the situation of the classroom teacher, his role in guiding students to learn, and the standards by which he is judged. (RK)

Explores student and teacher behavior in writing instruction as the "underlife" (behaviors that undercut the roles expected of participants in a situation) of the current educational system. Suggests that the identities students develop in writing classrooms are more conducive to academic success than the traditional identity of the…

Considers how to provide a supportive, secure environment to children of divorce through opportunities to exercise personal control, being tolerant of variable academic performance, and expressing faith in children's character and capacity for growth. Provides suggestions for creating safe channels for communication and teaching children coping…

Proposes confluent education as an effective method for educating the whole student in special education. Describes the process involving changes to the present curriculum, with the most significant variable being the teacher created atmosphere. Concludes that confluent education requires an atmosphere of trust and self-exploration. (JAC)

Women are making progress in many areas of science, but a gender gap still remains, especially in physics, computer science, and engineering, and at advanced levels of academic and career achievement. Today's teachers can help narrow this gap by instilling a love for science in their female students and by helping them to understand and develop…