Metacognition is described and suggestions for teachers about developing and improving metacognitive skills in performing mathematical tasks are given. (MNS)

This article focuses on curriculum analysis, an aspect of direct instruction that is frequently neglected or obscured by an emphasis on classroom management and teacher performance. Explicit strategies that are used to teach higher cognitive skills and the importance of teacher training in the appropriate use of direct instruction are discussed.…

This article explores the purposes, methods, and future directions of social-skill training research from the perspective of a cognitive-social learning explanation of behavior change. Research findings are reviewed with respect to important or promising variables, their hypothesized function in behavior change, and their effects on children's…

Describes a research paper assignment that asks students to come up with a question (problem) in some academic field that can be answered (solved) from synthesizing all of the information currently available. Argues that such an assignment teaches the research paper within a rhetorical context. (HOD)

Four studies are offered from a Piagetian perspective on providing children with an optimal microcomputer environment. Guidelines stress the importance of flexibility, and a hierarchical software environment. (CL)

Investigates whether first-grade students' performance on an 18-word spelling test administered in the first month of school is a good predictor of reading achievement at the end of first grade. A total of 75 students from four classrooms were tested three times during the school year. (RH)

Responding to Goldman's critique of the Socratic method, the author redefines the "Socratic spirit" as rational dialog focused on questions of significance in an atmosphere of mutual support and cooperation. Exemplified in Lipman's "Philosophy for Children," this approach nourishes the reflective spirit in children and develops…

Investigated effectiveness of teaching one element of a science syllabus using drama in place of conventional practical work. No statistically significant differences were detected in factual recall, but significantly more "meaningful" learning appeared to have taken place when drama was used. Psychological and educational implications…

This paper discusses ways to use worked examples in teaching mathematics. It is argued that neither investigative teaching such as discovery learning nor lecturing and starting from the abstract are helpful as they are based on emotive associations with general labels rather than precise details of pedagogic strategies. (KHR)

Science and mathematics reform standards call for inquiry teaching methods that enable students to contribute their own ideas and to pursue their own investigations. Inquiry involves activities and skills that focus on the active search for knowledge of understanding to satisfy a curiosity. This publication is intended to furnish K-12 teachers…

Synpractic and social language, differentation, categorization, and constructive alternativism can be encouraged through instruction in creative dramatics. (CH)

Reports the results of a study that indicate that junior and senior high school science students are penalized (by receiving lower grades) for not being able to think at the formal operational level. Outlines some methods that may be used to facilitate growth in cognitive development of students. (JR)

Ten- and 11-year-old boys and girls were taught to solve Inhelder and Piaget's pendulum problem and the results of the experiment replicated their expectation that unaided 10- and 11-year-olds do not often solve the pendulum problem. (Editor/RK)

The most immediate priority for educational reform must be for the establishment of a minimum degree of uniformity in the sequence and hierarchy of instructional and behavioral objectives during the initial stages of learning to decode and encode. (Author)