Reviews the Christian fiction series, "Cedar River Daydreams," by Judy Baer and recommended for grades 7-10. The main character is a girl who has moved to a new town, and struggles with socializing in school, peer pressure, popularity, acceptance of her Down's Syndrome afflicted brother, and being herself. Includes an annotated list of…

Social development of students with disabilities is examined from a developmental synthesis perspective. Issues in the social skills deficit framework are also discussed, along with formation of classroom social networks and their role in behavior development. Social interventions should focus on both the classroom social network and the…

Two studies found positive effects of peer modeling upon the play scripts of preschool children with specific language impairment (SLI). The first study involved dyadic play sessions in which children with SLI were paired with a normal language peer model. The second study compared dyads of either two SLI children or one SLI child and one normal…

Many colleges have established substance-free residence halls as one strategy for coping with the problem of binge drinking. The paper presents guidelines for ensuring that the substance-free housing succeeds, including starting small, involving students in design and development, keeping the area separate, considering special programming, and…

Describes how to use whole language instruction in the music classroom. Discusses the various aspects of whole language instruction, such as authentic learning experiences, whole concept, learning that focuses on inquiry, the importance of social interaction, and reflection. Lists appropriate activities. (CMK)

Investigates a prediction model of early withdrawal from school, using a sample of low socio-economic status (SES) boys (n=751), with emphasis on the role of peer-related variables. Reports that power of early disruptiveness and early academic performance predicted dropout; but the effects of these variables depended upon the dropout age. (CMK)

Reports a Louisiana study that investigated relationships between black high school students' academic achievement and their peers' and families' socioeconomic and social status. Test scores, school data, and student surveys indicated that family poverty status, family social status, and peers' family social status all influenced individual…

Investigates the relationship between name-calling and peer beliefs and how it is associated with students' grade level. Analysis of 48 second graders' and 70 sixth graders' responses suggests that name-calling frequency declined with age. However, the more names children reported having been called in the past, the more negative their beliefs…

A study of peer and social influences on the political orientation of undergraduate students, using data from the Cooperative Institution Research Program, suggests that student political orientations consistently tend toward the institutional norm, whether liberal or conservative, regardless of social era in which students attend college. This…

Surveyed parents regarding their perceived needs in preventing their adolescents from engaging in substance use. The main needs were in learning how to teach their children to resist peer pressure to use substances and to communicate effectively with them concerning substance use. The most common resources parents used to obtain information were…

A biopsychosocial model of the development of adolescent chronic conduct problems is presented and supported through a review of empirical findings. The model posits that biological dispositions and sociocultural contexts place certain children at risk in early life but that life experiences with parents, peers, and social institutions increment…

Explains that extensive reading (ER) programs involve students in silently reading large quantities of materials. Discusses the possible benefits of adding a group element to second language ER. Presents cooperative learning principles that can facilitate effective group interaction to accompany ER. Provides examples of activities that blend…

This study used a sample of 2,379 seventh through twelfth graders in 5 Protestant denominations to test the hypothesis that parental influences on religious faith are mediated through peer selection and congregation selection. Findings revealed that peer and parental influence remained stable during the adolescent years. Parental influence did not…

Assessed the effects of youth and parent factors on school functioning among 70 black 8th graders. Student, parent, and teacher surveys indicated that hostile control positively related to delinquency symptoms; achievement control negatively related to academic performance; negative peer behavior positively related to aggression and delinquency…

Offers 10 annotated references on the topic of peer mentorship in community colleges. Describes peer mentorship programs as an effective way to promote academic and transfer success and assist underrepresented and developmental students. Provides citations of research on peer mentorship and effective programs that may be implemented at two-year…