The intent is to promote awareness of negative mind sets, which are mental obstructions that prevent problem solvers from perceiving problems in certain ways or formulating solutions. Visual perception, the Einstellung effect, and functional fixedness are presented as types of negative mind sets. Suggestions for remedies are presented. (MP)

Describes a social studies unit for teaching high school students about energy. Entitled "Energy Tradeoffs in the Marketplace," the unit focuses on economic aspects of energy, economic-related educational games, social decision making with regard to energy, and social studies skill development. (DB)

An approach to the teaching of steady-state recycle calculations is presented. Included are the solutions to two sample problems. (BB)

The author recommends allowing elementary students to use pocket calculators, so that they may concentrate on the sense of a math problem without getting bogged down in computation. He presents calculator activities on place value, estimation, and arithmetic operations, suitable for grades 1-6. (SJL)

The author suggests that metaphorical physical examples can sometimes help children understand psychological situations, particularly those concerned with limits, more effectively and with less embarrassment than a direct discussion of behavior. One example he gives relates pliability or brittleness in an object to the limit of a person's…

An empirical approach to remediating handwriting problems in children is presented. After an observation period, the teacher gathers a number of handwriting samples, and using information from both sources, analyzes the problem. A checklist is used to list aspects of the analysis, such as general handwriting characteristics and degree of proximity…

Provides a curriculum design to take advantage of the high levels of motivation generated by contemporary events in Iran and the Middle East. (Author/IRT)

A letter sent to Franklin Roosevelt complains about the employment of married women whose husbands are also employed. The letter suggests that greedy married women cheat their single sisters and drain the job market. Teaching strategies are included. (KC)

Suggests guidelines for conducting research concerned with testing English instructional strategies and materials. (RL)

Notes that classroom teachers frequently ignore or are unaware of research findings relevant to their teaching; examines the major issues that inform the use of research as part of the disciplinary base for designing writing programs. (Author/GT)

Notes that traditional methods of teaching vocabulary development do not reflect the learning patterns of basic writing students. Suggests ways of modifying vocabulary instruction to help remedial students. (RL)

A four-step process for the development of a system for the management of classroom behavior is presented. (PHR)

Designed for use with emotionally and behaviorally disordered students, the materials presented in the column are intended to meet the developmental needs of the population, prevent or reduce crisis situations, or foster student awareness of alternative ways of handling conflict. (PHR)

All disciplines are potentially useful for fuller interpretation of reality. Interdisciplinary instruction should emphasize cooperation, rather than conflict, among disciplines. Topics can include objects and processes (a horse or a river), events (the fall of Rome or migration), and issues (alcohol, crime, sports, or self and society). (DF)

Provides practical advice for the caregiver whose group includes children with behavioral disorders. (MP)