Highlights research important to understanding struggling middle school readers, and based on that research, suggests principles for instruction. Argues that knowing students as readers, maintaining a wide range of reading material, and allotting time for reading in class can support readers regardless of motivation, interest, or ability. (SD)

Discusses the creation of a reading niche for second-language learners to motivate their development as independent readers, emphasizing that book selection for this niche should cater to student interests and that informal discussion of the books' subject matter should take place. (six references) (CK)

Presents three activities to promote participation in group discussions about books. Activity one involves displaying pictures of characters and having students describe them, citing specific actions from the book as proof. Activity two entails listing a story's actions into a flow chart. Activity three involves making a line graph indicating the…

Describes a pilot project that had faculty from four universities develop portfolios of their professional service activities. Discusses issues and insights emerging from early project experience, including importance of collaboration, realistic estimation of time and effort required for documentation, tension between this innovation and…

Addresses the question of how to infuse an artistic aesthetic into classroom music performance. Recommends using material that offers students an aesthetic opportunity yet remains within their intellectual and artistic grasp. Discusses types of compositions that meet these requirements and suggests some creative rehearsal techniques. (MJP)

Compares two separate classroom ethnographies in higher educational institutions--one on African American students learning academic writing and another on Sri Lankan Tamil students learning English for general purposes. Attempts to overcome the separation of the concerns of bilingual and bidialectal minority students in English-language teaching.…

Presents a brief but fascinating discussion of a high school junior's use of primary sources for her presentation at History Day in California. She contacted black athletes who gave the black power salute at the 1968 Olympics and conducted several hours of interviews. These interviews were incorporated into a paper. (MJP)

Gives historical account of research and practices associated with precollege science laboratories. Described three social contexts of research on science laboratories: separation, interaction, and partnership. Argues that more partnerships are needed to continue improvement to the science laboratory, suggesting that future partnerships will…

Educators have the responsibility to encourage youth to aspire by providing inspiration, realism, the experience of mastery, and respect. Schools should hire "interesting" staff, become smaller, arrange schedules so students have time to pursue their interests, and be flexible. Rural schools have many of these conditions; the potentials…

This commentary on four studies on instructional discourse highlights the possible reasons for variations in instructional engagement within and across the studies, discusses the challenges to engaging student with learning disabilities in discipline-based instruction, and stresses the value for the learning disabilities field of greater attention…

This case study examined relationships between Chris, a 12-year-old talented male, and 5 peers. Chris's peers had favorable influences on his academic and creative talent development in four areas: competition, support, motivation, and role modeling. He identified strongly with one of his peers in becoming a rock star. (Contains references.)…

Describes the effects of an undergraduate learner-centered community of learners approach to instruction on student motivation and cognitive learning strategies. Discusses objectives, including integrated courses, active and collaborative learning, and opportunities for learning through information technology and library resources; and describes…

Describes characteristics of the "ideal" rural teacher and highlights the significant issues associated with recruiting and retaining such teachers in rural schools. Claims that new ideas and approaches will be necessary if small rural schools, often located in very isolated and poor areas, are to attract qualified teachers. (Contains 34…

A study examined how self-efficacy beliefs influenced motivation, affect, and adjustment in five students aged 9-13 with cancer, receiving educational services in a hospital setting. Education was an effective vehicle through which children with cancer could experience control and autonomy and also achieve many necessary developmental outcomes for…

Discusses a simulation used with computer science students studying English for specific purposes in a university technical writing class in Japan. Highlights include building a paper bridge as a project team; writing a technical proposal as a team; language learning goals; influence of a group's ability to work as a team; and student motivation.…