Noting that the increasing concern about violence in schools and society in general is evident in recent initiatives undertaken by the government in Victoria, Australia, this study explored students' conflicts in a Victorian primary school, focusing on the role of the teacher in student conflict. Participating in the exploratory study were 6…

The third of three interactive staff development units on discipline in early childhood classrooms, this multi-media pack explores a technique to help early childhood teachers discern what a child is trying to communicate through disruptive behavior, so they can resolve such behavior rather than just react to it. The 25-minute teaching videotape…

This volume of an annual collection presents nine essays relating to instruction in the basic communication course. The essays are: "Three Metaphors for the Competencies Acquired in the Public Speaking Class" (Michael Osborn); "Perceptions of Basic Communication Texts: Factors in Student Learning and Textbook Adoption…

Drawing from ethnographic study of two kindergartens in a magnet school, suggests that teachers have different perceptions and expectations of Black and White children who misbehave. Holds that the referral of "problem" Black children to counseling and special classes often occurs as a response to administrative and community tensions over…

Degree of lesson complexity was examined and related to the type of approach used by eighth grade teachers. Results indicated that teachers adapt to the perceived complexity of class activities and to students' behavior cues, using direct instruction more frequently in mathematics and science than in the humanities and language arts. (Author/PP)

Summarizes the results from a questionnaire developed to reflect both local concerns and those of national studies in elementary science education in Kansas. The questionnaire included items concerning methods of science instruction, class time spent on science, teacher preparation, approach to metric system, science textual material, and…

Examines the effect of teacher expectations on differences in achievement between German-speaking and French-speaking ninth graders in English-speaking classrooms. Results suggest that teachers base their expectations on student intellectual abilities and previous performance rather than upon ethnicity or other characteristics. (AM)

Reports on research concerning the impact of pupils' speech styles on teacher attitudes. Focuses on Australian research and the classroom implications for Australian teachers and students. (RL)

In Australia, Gardner's multiple-intelligences theory has strongly influenced primary, preschool, and special education. A survey of 30 schools revealed that teachers use two basic approaches: teaching to, and teaching through, multiple intelligences. The first approach might develop children's music skills via playing an instrument. The second…

Reports on the effects of six different primary inservice training courses aimed at teachers' motivation, anxieties, hands-on working skills, and support needs. Results showed that primary teachers felt they needed more continuous support in the area of improving their knowledge and understanding of the subject, especially in chemistry and…

Conflicting policy decisions, scaling difficulties, teacher resistance, and mediocre results are slowing adoption of authentic student-evaluation measures. With more conservative state leadership, California and Arizona rejected performance assessment, and other states have followed. Despite various setbacks, new assessments are becoming the norm.…

Notes that students often distrust the discussion method of instruction. Outlines three strategies along with examples designed to empower, engage, and instruct students utilizing the discussion method including the dramatic moment; validation of student expression; and integration of reading, writing, and talking. (MJP)

Presents the personal narrative of a Mexican immigrant mother who reports her dilemma and frustration when attempting to assist in her child's classroom. Highlights the obstacles mothers face when they seek to become actively involved in their children's classrooms, and challenges educators to seriously consider what is meant by parent…

Describes a project to explore how mathematics teachers can use assessment of students' learning to shape their own instructional practices. The project had two goals: (1) to make sense of what students understand, how they understand it, and what counts as evidence of understanding; and (2) to use analysis of materials that document students'…

Investigates test anxiety, mathematics anxiety, and teacher feedback among university students enrolled in remedial mathematics classes to explore student motivation within an instructional framework. Results indicate that text anxiety has a significant effect on remedial mathematics students' mathematics achievement, and that informative feedback…