An elementary school teacher developed renewed interest in both teaching and learning after enrolling in an American Heart Association workshop. This article discusses how a science unit on the heart was taught in a creative and interesting way to fourth-grade students. (DF)

Fifteen ideas for rewarding and motivating students without using stickers are offered. An inset box presents seven more ideas for intermediate students. (MT)

A teacher tells how he turned a class of difficult students into a class of eager learners by risking an offbeat teaching method. An inset briefly features seven other success stories. (MT)

Students need to be able to classify mapping devices, map purposes, and code forms so that skills learned on one map setting can be readily transferred to any map using the same techniques. (MB)

Gifts can link class discussions to the real world while involving children in reading, travel, or a search for information. They make children more receptive to the teacher, school in general, and ultimately to the subject. Ways to find cheap or free gifts for students are discussed. (MT)

Reflecting on her teaching practice led the narrator of this article to alter her traditional method of asking questions and giving directions to students. Examples of questioning and direction-giving strategies are included. (IAH)

This article shows how kindergarten children who are required to write stories are better speakers, earlier readers, and more careful communicators. The children write or draw their stories to the best of their ability, and the teacher adds conventional spelling. (DF)

A teacher discusses how computers can be used in the classroom to increase individualization, motivation, and creativity. (DF)

This list of practical and useful ideas is compiled from veteran teachers for motivating students, making a dull subject more interesting, or making a difficult subject easier to understand. (MT)

Teachers do not have to be musicians to help their students learn basic musical concepts. Activities are suggested that provide experiences with visualizing sounds, conducting, performing, and composing. These lessons can start a foundation on which to build more formal studies. (DF)

When children are taught to appreciate the freedom and power of self-expression, they become motivated to master writing skills. Ways of encouraging creative writing in the classroom are offered. (DF)

Children develop enthusiasm for learning about the states when they become "tour directors." Activities to help students learn about various states and then convince others to "visit" these places are offered. (DF)

A study of family history is suggested as a catalyst for motivating middle grade students and for effecting learning simultaneously. Numerous activities for adding interest and for expanding learning opportunities are offered. (DG)

Creating a class book can be an effective way to stimulate early elementary students' creativity and self-expression. The six steps are to: introduce the project; create the story; decide who does what; get it down on paper; put it all together; and share the experience. (SM)

Children develop knowledge and insight into history when they act out dramatic events of the past. Creative dramatics serve as an impetus to further reading and research. Suggestions for teacher use in implementing role playing in the classroom are given. (DF)