This collection of papers focuses on applied linguistics and second language teaching. Three of the papers discuss classroom issues, two examine new views and models in second language writing, and one describes the Koge project, which has presented the most comprehensive research on bilingual children in Denmark. The six papers include the…

Designed as a resource and as a guide for professionals who work with children and their families, this book explores the cathartic effect of humor on children, and looks at humor as an infusion of energy that promotes healthy growth, development, and adjustment in children of all ages. The chapters are as follows: (1) "Introduction: A Global…

Most educators intuitively understand the critical relationship between thinking and writing: writing allows us to express what we think, but the very act of writing spurs a process of exploration that changes our thinking and helps us learn. "Teaching Writing in the Content Areas" examines nearly 30 years of research to identify how teachers can…

Most information systems classes focus on the study of hardware, software, data, communication, procedure, and employees. Employees usually are divided into end-user, IT people, and management. There is a need to teach classes in information systems directly related to the progress of the human as the most important component in any information…

Commissioned by the Foundation for Child Development, this report examines the state of universal prekindergarten in the United States and the challenges to its widespread implementation. The report describes socioeconomic and ethnic/racial differences in school readiness and maintains that policymakers need to identify mechanisms in addition to…

A well-ordered classroom promotes learning, helps build a classroom community, and frees teachers to observe and interact with children in positive ways. This videotape shows how classroom and outdoor environments can convey six positive messages for preschool children: (1) this is a good place to be; (2) you belong here as a valued member of the…

This paper is a review of research that focuses on the organization and management of instruction in classrooms and on social and emotional learning outcomes for students. The conceptual framework of the paper encompasses learners, teachers, and curriculum. The framework is intended to provide a useful format for the presentation of studies. The…

This paper presents and analyzes two examples of classroom discourse which belong to the genre of "talk about texts." Both are extracts from discussions between a small group of primary school students and their teacher (in England) on the topic of short texts of narrative fiction which they have just read together during the…

This guide is designed to provide a framework and sequence for working jointly with adult learners to confirm their disability, assess their functional needs, select appropriate accommodations, provide instruction for using accommodations, and monitor accommodation effectiveness. In addition to procedural information, the guide contains instructor…

Two different professional preparation paths lead to teaching positions in the primary grades, resulting in conflicting paradigms. In early childhood education (ECED), child development theory traditionally serves as the context for decision making regarding instructional strategies and curriculum content. In contrast, elementary education (ELED)…

Because of the variation in support for literacy development in different homes, many children need high-quality preschool and school environments and excellent primary instruction to be sure of reading success. This Spanish-language Digest discusses the research on preschool literacy environments and their contributions to reading skills…

This Spanish- and Portuguese-language bulletin presents articles focusing on early childhood and elementary-age initiatives in which the children play a more active role than the usual model of teachers/adult project leaders taking the lead and the children following their directions. Each article covers a distinct project, thus examining the…

This book will help teachers better relate to, understand, and love their job. This is a professional resource that contains innovative ideas, visuals, and reproducibles that can be referenced quickly to help make the job easier. This comprehensive resource offers practical teaching techniques, solutions, and tips on: (1) Planning and designing…

Teacher efficacy has been identified as a variable that can influence teacher effectiveness. The results of methods designed to change teacher efficacy, however, have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible impact on teacher efficacy of the FOCUS (1992) instructional method, which is designed to create an environment in…

The Preschool Technology Training Project was designed to develop and demonstrate a regional training model on the applications of assistive technology for preschoolers with disabilities. The goal of the training was to enable preschool special education teachers, related services personnel, and parents of young children with disabilities to…