This book affirms that the behaviors of young people from culturally diverse populations need to be viewed from a cultural perspective, and that instruction should affirm students and empower them to achieve maximally as well as to benefit others. A theme that underlies the entire book is the advocacy of direct instruction in social skills,…

Given the failure of previous research to find consistent effects of class size on students' achievement, this study examined whether teachers in British elementary schools changed their behavior in ways conducive to learning when they worked with classes significantly smaller than average. Seven pairs of elementary school teachers judged as…

This pilot study examined teaching strategies used by experienced early childhood teachers to scaffold their students' learning in pre-primary classes. Five teachers were involved; each was visited three times and videotapes were taken of teacher interaction in a range of classroom settings. The teacher language was transcribed from the videotapes…

This study of two groups of four children (ages 6-9) with learning disabilities evaluated the effects of two contingencies (independent and interdependent) on the learning of students with learning and behavioral disabilities when conducted in small groups with constant time delay. Measures were collected on the rapidity with which children…

Caregivers must build a trusting, loving relationship before trying to toilet train any child. Before toilet training begins, myelinization, a neurological development necessary for controlling sphincter muscles, must be complete and toddlers must be able to sit easily for long periods. To help children recognize toilet needs, caregivers should…

A study explored student teachers' adherence, rejection, or modification of their course work-generated (but untested or "idealized") model of reading when faced with the demands of the classroom. Fifty senior education majors enrolled in an integrated elementary and special education program at an urban university wrote reflective essays,…

This literature review is one part of a research project, "The Comparison of Instructional Strategies," designed to investigate issues related to instructional procedures used with students having moderate and severe mental retardation and to develop and field test four modules/manuals using such procedures. The review examined the…

This monograph reviews several approaches for describing learning styles and the instructional implications of an emphasis on learning styles for teachers. Several reasons for the importance of understanding individual learning styles are provided; such understanding leads to: (1) reduction of teacher and student frustration; (2) higher student…

This pilot study examined the treatment of kindergarten children by one student teacher to determine whether there were differences in the teacher's treatment of male and female children. Data were collected by observing and tape recording a kindergarten classroom in which a student teacher interacted with 10 male and 10 female students for a…

This case study explores the relationship between one chemistry teacher's conceptions of teaching science and his teaching practice. The teacher, Mr. Corrigan, comments on the researchers' interpretations of his thinking and practice. Mr. Corrigan exhibited a high level of disciplinary knowledge and clear views on teaching, learning, and content.…

An urban independent middle school grouped its 63 sixth and seventh graders into single-sex mathematics classes (SSMC) to improve girls' achievement in mathematics (AIM) and attitudes toward mathematics (ATM) with no negative impact on boys. Researchers analyzed AIM, ATM, and interactions/instruction. AIM measures included Metropolitan Achievement…

Three academically deficient and behavior disordered male students, 9 to 13 years of age, participated in a treatment program to improve their written composition skills. A multiple-baseline across-subjects design was used to analyze the effects of three treatment procedures on the number and variety of adjectives per T-unit (minimal terminable…

Instructors seeking to practice learner-centered principles of teaching have several tools at their disposal. This paper summarizes four approaches to help students become more aware of their own psychological functioning and how it shapes their learning. Journal writing induces students to reflect and connect course concepts to past or present…

Case studies are presented of three gifted students, indicating the social and academic problems which are standing in the way of their potential development. The students include a Vietnamese-American ninth-grade girl who has difficulty with English and does not feel accepted by other students, an underachieving seventh grade boy who speaks out…

Originally developed for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on developing oral language is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a lecture giving an overview on the topic; the full text of several…