Notes that, although literature on middle school teaching focuses on developmental stresses of young adolescents, it rarely offers specific ways to respond to student behaviors associated with these changes. Delineates the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional motivations behind typical early adolescent behaviors and then offers middle school…

This survey found significant relationships between 54 general classroom teachers' expectations of student behavior and their judgment of pupils being at risk. Teachers who judged more adaptive behaviors as critical and more maladaptive behaviors as unacceptable judged the absence of more adaptive behaviors and presence of more maladaptive…

This study of teaching methods in language interventions with three preschool children with autism found greater improvements in responding and considerably less disruptive behavior during the natural language (using functional stimuli and natural reinforcers) teaching condition compared to the traditional language condition. (Author/DB)

Advocates teaching social skills and nurturing moral development to guide children toward positive social behavior and moral understanding. Recommends applying the same patience to teaching the social process as is applied to the teaching of the writing process. Argues against isolating children through the overuse of punishment. (SM)

This study, based on observation of 28 children with autism in an integrated preschool, explored whether differing levels of autistic behavior were associated with the presence of nondisabled children or with the presence of other children with autism. Results indicated significantly decreased levels of autistic behavior corresponding to the close…

Teacher interpretations of student behavior frequently provide the data to analyze problem behaviors. There is no absolute way to determine whether behaviors are appropriate or inappropriate. Effective teacher intervention involves reducing the old behavior and introducing new activities to reinforce appropriate behavior. The article suggests…

The issue of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating on tests, and falsification of data by students, is examined. Legal cases are reviewed; the University of Iowa school of social work's policy on academic misconduct is presented; and other avenues of intervention and prevention are discussed. (Author/MSE)

In 24 third and sixth grade classrooms, 78 percent of instructional time involved quiet work or teacher talking, whereas 1 percent involved brainstorming, discussion, oral problem solving, and role playing combined. Talk structures were affected by subject and teacher sex but not by grade or teacher experience. Contains 71 references. (Author/SV)

Uses data from an ethnographic study of Mexicanos and Anglos in south Texas society and schools to formulate a performance perspective of cultural reproduction and resistance. Examines ethnic and class differences in classroom "making-out" games and the role of pop-culture practices among youth in reproducing class and gender inequities.…

Examined family and peer characteristics in relation to Black adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding alcohol use. Findings from 1,177 Black students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 indicated that 7.2 percent were self-classified as heavy drinkers; 53.5 percent abstained from any alcohol use. Students tended to have same drinking…

An innovative physical education course incorporating unique field experiences, high levels of participation, and reinforcement of individual responsibility was designed and implemented in a pilot project. When compared to traditional physical education classes, mixed results were obtained for various physical fitness measures and knowledge…

Presents findings from a survey of first-year students at Keene State College (New Hampshire) that focused on cheating behaviors. Highlights include a worksheet to begin a dialog on academic dishonesty; differences in cheating behavior between high school and college; motivations for cheating; and recommendations for faculty and librarians.…

Examined effects of student temperament, instructional method (computer versus teacher), and interaction between 2 on observed off-task behavior and problem-solving performance among 78 kindergarten students. Found that students with highest Task Orientation exhibited almost no off-task behaviors with either method, whereas students with lowest…

Presents strategies for banishing behavior problems in the classroom and creating a positive learning environment. The behaviors include name calling; hitting and pushing; tattling; poking and touching; overactivity; talking back; complaining about no playmates; being unprepared to work; and lying, cheating, and stealing. On-the-spot solutions are…

Examined how resident directors (RDs) and residential assistants (RAs) defined and enforced college alcohol policy in three freshman residence halls. Findings suggest that alcohol violations vary with academic quarters, that recidivism varies with alacrity of RD sanctions, and that RAs' reporting practices vary with gender. (Author/NB)