Provides a series of guidelines for overcoming resistance and problems with cooperative projects in an introductory sociology course. These include coordinating common interests and common free time between team members, requiring allocation of various roles (presider, scribe, coordinator), and ongoing monitoring of the research teams. (MJP)

By evaluating her use and delivery of praise, an elementary teacher discovered that its quality, not quantity, had the most impact on students. Teachers can increase the positive effects of praise by praising sparingly but carefully, directing it to students who respond well to it, and ensuring contingency, specificity, and credibility. (Author/SM)

Moral educators understand the moral and ethical complexities of their role, possess expertise in interpreting their behavior and discerning its influence on students, and act ethically within the context of professional responsibility. Teacher education programs must concentrate on addressing ethics. The case study method can be effective in…

Summarizes a survey of over 500 teachers throughout four regions of Russia. Discovers that most teachers feel their skills and development are lacking, particularly in the areas of innovative teaching methods. Outlines a system of steps and goals to be implemented throughout teacher education to rectify this deficiency. (MJP)

Analyzes the teacher-child talk during art activities conducted by two Australian and two Asian teachers in four Australian child care centers. Discovers differences in the use of the evaluative subcategories repeat and rephrase. Includes transcript samples of the conversations. (MJP)

Classroom observations of 71 disabled elementary students indicated that disabled students and their normative peers did not differ in behaviors measured by the Classroom Behavior Record (CBR), except that disabled students were significantly less attentive than their peers and even less attentive when more than one adult was in the classroom.…

Recommends strategies for building and retaining audience interest in musical concerts. Discusses the design of a concert program and the placement of types of musical pieces. Concludes that student ensembles are directly affected by the way conductors present and rehearse the music. (CFR)

Asserts that public choice theory, a perspective most closely associated with economics and political science, could be used in social studies education to provide new insights into the behavior of students and teachers. Includes a table applying public choice theory to two curriculum and instruction problems. (CFR)

Asserts that sexual harassment is a major problem in schools. Presents a secondary-level lesson designed to help teachers and students examine this issue and identify harassing behaviors. Includes six student handouts, instructional procedures, and suggested follow-up activities. (CFR)

Presents strategies for counteracting the following barriers to classroom discussions: student nonparticipation or inattentiveness to others; teacher behaviors of initiating, soliciting, responding, and reacting; argumentative encounters; and inability to communicate mathematically. (MKR)

Maintains that, before developing a curriculum to teach critical thinking in the social studies, it is necessary to conceptualize what critical thinking is. Discusses three definitions of critical thinking along with three strategies for teaching critical thinking. (CFR)

Surveys of teacher unions and school administrators examined teacher sexual abuse of elementary students in Ontario (Canada) 1987-92. Results indicate that accusations, charges, and convictions were few; the acquittal rate for teachers was high; and a number of teachers were falsely accused of sexual abuse each year. Includes administrator…

Addresses the question of whether it is possible for early years teachers to achieve understanding and appreciation of children's behavior and development without having insights into their own behavior and family backgrounds. Suggests that teachers must recognize the importance of their own backgrounds in how they look at children, teaching, and…

Contends that using art textbooks is a relatively new trend in art education. Reports on a survey about art textbook use among 64 art teachers involved in an in-service teacher education program. Concludes it is important that the art education field encourages, promotes, and supports research on the use of art textbooks. (CFR)

Explains how teachers can modify their behaviors to incorporate a multicultural approach in physical education. Gender, racial, and disability stereotypes are emphasized as problematic. Eight steps to incorporating an inclusive approach to physical education are provided. (SM)