Describes a kindergarten activity of dissecting owl pellets as a vehicle for promoting new partnerships and friendships. Argues that pairing children for activities based on gender, varying ethnicities, and differing abilities allows children to break down barriers and gives them experiences with children other than their best friends. (SD)

Describes a pilot project, a mobile Catholic school with a health and pastoral services ministry, which follows its students, migrant children, from Ohio to Florida every year. Indicates the program emphasizes a holistic approach to combat attrition, flexibility, and the active participation of its parents. (10 citations) (AJL)

Provides lesson plans for grades 8-9 mathematics; 4-6 music; 4-6 reading/language arts; K and 3-4 science; and 6-8 social studies. Lists print and nonprint resources, and library media and subject area objectives; discusses instructional roles, activities, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up. Includes a pirate book plate and lists 26 real…

Develops criteria to establish whether a second language (L2) speaker has achieved native-like proficiency. The study compares the performance of near-native speakers of English, non-native speakers, and controls on two tasks designed to tap aspects of Universal Grammar claimed to be subject to critical period effects. Findings reveal that…

Applies key components of the Reggio Emilia approach to Hearts Home, a Houston school: (1) parent-teacher-child interdependence, including home visits, communication, training sessions, and field trips; (2) children's competence; (3) utilizing functional and beautiful learning environments; and (4) teachers as partners in co-construction of…

Analyzed conversations within mother-kindergartner dyads for tendencies to discuss specific categories of child-other relationships, differences in tendencies with gender and ethnicity, and the association between discussed categories and children's perceived peer acceptance. Found that discussion categories varied with gender, ethnicity, and…

Considers the career and contributions of Samad Behrangi, Iranian educator and childrens' author. Behrangi worked as an itinerant rural teacher in Iran during the 1960s and 1970s. Supporters link his suspicious death in 1977 to his criticism of the Reva Pahlavi regime. (MJP)

This study of 25 teachers in literature-based language arts programs in poor urban areas found that assessment issues produce considerable conflict for teachers as they attempt to understand and track children's literacy development and their own effectiveness in teaching children to read and write. Results suggest that assessment is not merely a…

Examined developmental differences in evidence evaluation skills among school children, non-college educated adults, and college students, utilizing plant growth variables. Found that children were more strongly influenced by prior beliefs and missing data than were the two adult groups. Age and educational differences were found in the…

Explored responses to interactive multimedia by 3- to 5-year-olds through examination of verbal and facial expressions, use of mouse, body movement, attitudes toward multimedia, and teacher comments. Found great interest in using the technology and little difficulty in adjusting to developmentally appropriate materials, which has implications for…

Offers ideas for opening up new paths in literacy teaching in early childhood settings. Focuses on the role of phonics in everyday classroom instruction, working with dyslexic children, home reading programs, special concerns about boys' literacy, the impact of inequities in social status in the classroom on children's literacy opportunities, and…

Evaluated over 6 years a comprehensive treatment program for abusive families in Spain. Findings were similar to those obtained for similar programs in the United States and other developed countries. Lowest success rates were found for neglectful and abusive-neglectful families. Dropout and nondropout families differed in presence of alcohol…

Used kinematic measures to compare relative contributions of growing body dimensions, age, and walking experience in walking skill development in 9- to 17-month-olds, kindergartners, and college students. Found that with increased age, size, and experience, children's steps became longer, narrower, straighter, and more consistent, reflecting a…

Examined main and interactive effects of multiple social risk factors and preschool IQ and mental health on students' academic trajectories from first to twelfth grade. Found that high-risk students had lower grades and more absences from first to twelfth grade than low-risk students. Higher IQ and better mental health improved the grade point…

Examined how Chinese and American Indian mothers (20 mother-child dyads from each culture) supported their young children's emergent literacy development during everyday interactions. Found that Chinese mothers tended to privilege print-based literacy interactions more than American Indian mothers. American Indian mothers tended to privilege…