Describes a laboratory exercise in which a writer verbally directs a reader to assemble a seven-piece puzzle. Discusses how the exercise provides a test of communicative effectiveness, an illustration of the communication process, and an opportunity to examine assumptions that writers often make. (ARH)

Fifteen rural elementary school teachers in classrooms with high proportions of limited-English-speaking students completed self-reporting instruments and their supervisors evaluated their effectiveness. Those teachers with the most effective strategies for low-achieving students reported lower toleration of maladaptive behavior and some active…

Argues for teaching different approaches to solving problems. Using a geometric example, alternative solutions are given which use synthetic geometry, transformation geometry, analytic geometry, complex numbers, trigonometry or vectors. (PK)

Preventing math anxiety begins by helping teachers confront and control their own fears of math through the use of counseling therapy and mathematics instruction. The article describes techniques to help math-anxious teachers deal with approach-avoidance conflicts in the classroom and lists guidelines for creating anxiety-free math classes. (JDD)

Guidelines for effectively integrating learning-disabled or behavior problem students into regular classrooms are discussed. They include meetings between regular and special education teachers, class rules, discipline, clear directions, individualized instruction, direct instruction for skill acquisition, peer tutoring, structured activities,…

Suggests and discusses several strategies for helping students become better problem solvers. (PK)

Describes three types of chemical content, learning strategies for each type, and methods of teaching students to use the appropriate strategies. Provides suggestions for improving students' ability to learn. (CW)

Reviews a classroom experience which used the computer simulation "Decisions, Decisions: Immigration" in a secondary school social studies class. Highlights include descriptions of the decision making process, rank ordering of priorities, political and social issues relating to immigration, and benefits of teaching the simulation. (LRW)

Contributors (1) offer suggestions about using the newspaper for vocabulary development and involving students in problem solving activities, (2) describe a course designed for parents who want to help their children with reading, and (3) discuss the names of diacritical marks. (FL)

Reports a study of reading instruction in low-ability basal reading groups. Develops and validates a procedure for effective use of oral reading, which, in contrast to practices recommended by basal reader publishers, focuses on reading comprehension and encourages development of fluent, expressive writing. (Author/NH)

How children perceive doubling and halving numbers is discussed, with many examples. The use of calculators is integrated. The tendency to avoid division if other ways of solving a problem can be found was noted. (MNS)

Argues that teachers should lead their students to a broader study of people and their needs. Offers strategies that can be used in social studies classes to help students become aware of crisis situations and how to deal with them. (FL)

How children can be guided to see and feel the power of thinking with and about mathematical symbols is discussed. A strategy to help them bridge the gap between manipulative models and symbols is detailed. (MNS)

The approaches taken by two elementary school teachers in using computers as tools to stimulate and guide mathematical thinking are described. One had students design a BASIC program for counting; the other used demonstration programs to develop ideas about fractions and decimals. (MNS)

Social studies instruction using a variety of data sources engages elementary school children in relatively autonomous collecting, organizing, and evaluating of data--processes necessary for exercising sound judgment and taking appropriate action. (RM)