This book lays out the fundamentals for helping new teachers succeed in the schools of the next century. Each part features a collection of chapters from educational leaders. An introductory part presents, "A New Teacher's World: Not Your Grandmother's Classroom" (Marge Scherer). Part 1, "What Do New Teachers Need?" includes:…

The collaborative effort of a professor of human development with expertise in group process and a general education professor with expertise in Greek mythology and culture uses a case study format to apply theoretical models of group dynamics to the travel and learning experience of study abroad. Implications for course design and group process…

This discussion of collaboration between general and special educators focuses on selection of instructional interventions in mainstream settings and curriculum-based methods of evaluating programs designed to increase the academic performance of students with and without disabilities. It then suggests ways to incorporate data-based decision…

Describes how teachers in Alaska are using the Natural Support Matrix and Cooperative Learning Planning System to fully include junior high students with disabilities. The model involves collaborative teaming by teachers, development of a student's individual natural support matrix which correlates general and special education services with the…

Describes the Pair Tutoring Program, involving 264 preservice general educators and 118 children, either with disabilities or at-risk, a component of the RARE (Reflective and Responsive Educator) program. This early, field-based experience is designed to prepare preservice general education teachers to work more effectively with diverse learning…

A study examined whether instruction in collaborative skills and learning characteristics of students with mild disabilities (MD) would influence 17 preservice elementary education teachers' attitudes toward students with MD, knowledge of learning characteristics, and their instructional planning. Results found differences in instructional…

Sixth-grade teachers from diverse content areas and specialized fields came together as teacher-researchers to infuse principles of literacy/language learning across the curriculum, targeting low-achieving students. Through reflective inquiry, they gained insights into new strategies as they revised their roles from content area teachers to…

Offers three brief articles on three teacher-initiated programs that involve collaboration with colleagues and students: in music/arts production by fourth and fifth graders; an independent study program in which middle school students wrote grant proposals; and an activity in which seventh graders mapped a timeline of Earth history and geologic…

Focusing on the benefits of mentoring for beginning teachers, this article reviews the common goals and organizational formats for mentoring programs, outlines basic knowledge and skills necessary for effective mentoring, suggests resources useful in preparing teachers to serve as mentors, and examines issues about mentoring for staff developers.…

This conversation between two teacher educators describes a project that integrated social studies and language arts methods classes in a cross-cultural setting. The integrated content evolved around themes of community building and cross-cultural communication. The paper reflects on teaching together in a traditional education program--its…

Discusses use of teacher talk about innovation as an alternative to journal entries in eliciting reflective behavior. Describes a study that investigated whether teachers assembled to discuss portfolio assessment would spontaneously engage in four levels of action (describing, informing, confronting, and reconstructing). Analysis of transcripts…

A model is presented for preservice teacher preparation of general and special educators. The model was successfully implemented with 47 secondary and 30 special educator candidates who were enrolled in a collaboratively taught block of courses. Candidates collaboratively identified and assessed learning challenges in students, intervened, and…

Describes an action research project involving primary teachers who explored how to use selected children's literature to enhance young children's emergent literacy and numeracy development. Discusses selection criteria for books that effectively support emergent literacy and numeracy simultaneously. Presents teaching strategies that maximize the…

Describes how the Michigan City Area Schools adopted a consultation model for identifying preschoolers with disabilities. Under the model, when teachers observe children with learning or behavior problems, they refer them to school counselors. It is then determined if they would benefit from the model's collaborative, multidisciplinary team…

Examines teacher collaboration, collaborative arrangements, and the tools necessary for successful collaboration, as they relate to school reform. Suggests that teachers in all grade levels and disciplines need to work cooperatively with colleagues and representatives from other professional disciplines to address the public's demands for…