To ensure the best outcomes for students with moderate and severe disabilities, K-12 educators need to understand what constitutes good instructional practices and how to apply them in any classroom, with any curriculum. All the how-to guidance they need is in this accessible text on systematic instruction, a highly effective teaching approach…

If you're tired of repeating yourself to students who aren't listening, try a little less talk and a lot more action. The authors follow the best-selling "Teaching the Male Brain and Teaching the Female Brain" with this ready-to-use collection of mathematics, language arts, science, and classroom management strategies. Designed for active,…

Three procedures for increasing the disabled students' academic learning time(ALT)by maximizing allocation time, engagement time, and success rate are discussed, and a direct instructional model for enhancing ALT in both regular and special education environments is described. (CL)

The article addresses ways to maximize the engagement of preschool children with special needs, through classroom modifications of the physical environment, the social environment, and instructional practices. The article encourages use of appropriate, sufficient, and accessible materials; a daily schedule with smooth transitions; and use of…

Two six-year old kindergartners from different classrooms were able to write books because their instructors recognized their enthusiasm and provided extra time. The first student, frustrated at not being able to finish rewriting "Cinderella" during the limited writing periods of the classroom, was allowed to finish the story over a…

Recommends strategies to engage students in science tasks including match games, scavenger hunts, and science songs. Uses an interdisciplinary approach in the science activities. (YDS)

This book is about strategies learners can use to make their language learning and practice more successful and enjoyable. It is also about how teachers can help their learners develop those strategies. By making strategies part of their courses, teachers can help prepare their learners for their future study. This practical guide gives examples…

Presents timesaving tips to help elementary teachers make the most of every minute in the classroom. The article includes suggestions for using bulletin board space, creating student jobs, keeping track of items and assignments, recording grades, preparing makeup work, switching subjects, and timing student tasks. (SM)

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of several techniques for teaching reading to students with mental disabilities. Basic considerations include the following facts: (1) the effectiveness of the teacher is more important than the teaching method used, and (2) the teacher's view of reading should match the reading approach…

Noting that American elementary schools over the years have emphasized reading to the detriment of writing, a study examined the efficacy of a writing program that places the student and the teacher in direct contact with the writing process by (1) requiring daily student writing and suggesting the teacher frequently write with the students, (2)…

Suggests methods of effective teaching that help the beginning teacher organize the classroom and develop relationships with other teachers and students. Suggestions include communicating with teachers, long-range lesson planning, information cards for students, and alphabetical seating charts. (MDH)

An outline is presented of organizational procedures that teachers can use to maximize the use of classroom time. Specific guidelines are given on how to give homework assignments, how to communicate expectations regarding student work, how to distribute instructional materials, and how to allocate time among various classroom activities. Brief…

Maintains that small-group games increase student time on task over whole-class games. Provides guidelines for designing small-group games as well as large-group games. Points out that games provide leadership opportunities, review material presented in class, and develop cognitive and social skills. Provides a list of teaching resources for using…

This final report describes a 3-year project which investigated the relationship between academic learning time (ALT) and achievement in reading and mathematics of mildly handicapped students within the context of different special education delivery systems. Subjects were 24 educably mentally retarded, learning disabled, and emotionally disturbed…

Suggests, based on classroom observations, that teachers with a knowledge of reading research and the ability to organize instruction are better able to provide effective instruction for poor readers. Emphasizes the importance of increased time on reading tasks, direct instruction, and process writing activities. (ARH)