The ideal classroom climate promotes deep understanding, excitement about learning, and social and intellectual growth. Students are active decision makers, teachers work with students, and learners' interests and questions drive much of the curriculum. This brief article provides guidelines and a checklist to help administrators, parents, and…

Describes a Star Party which involves comparing the different colors of the stars, demonstrating how astronomers measure the sky with degrees, determining the cardinal direction, discussing numerous stories that ancient civilizations gave to constellations, exercising science process skills, and using science instruments. (JRH)

This article explains how educators can use the ecological congruence assessment process for identifying functional goals for young children with disabilities. Process steps include: teacher collects information about functioning in usual classroom activities, routines, and transitions; summarizes the collected information; and shares the…

A study of 10 elementary teachers who were using classroom evaluations to create inclusive classrooms found the following factors improved classroom evaluations: moving around the classroom; observing student work frequently; discussing work with students; viewing behavior as indicators of understanding; not seeing teachers as the sole…

Presents a study in which ten teachers from England were observed teaching literacy skills to primary age children to determine if they were teaching in a manner that provided for class discussion. Finds that teacher-led question and answer sessions were the most frequently used form of interaction. (DAJ)

Presents a study in which student teachers were observed before and after implementing the National Literacy Strategy to determine the impact prescriptive curricula has on teacher development. Finds that teachers focused on checking off the curriculum objectives, but did not provide a framework to show how the components related to one another.…

Discusses epistemological issues involved in the use of qualitative methods to assess classroom-based microcomputer programs, specifically Apple Computer's "Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow." Six models of qualitative data design and use are examined: anecdotal, structured observations, case study, multisite case study, ethnography, and…

Results are reported from a study designed to identify and describe the implementation and adaptation of content reading methods by six beginning secondary teachers. Findings indicate contextual constraints, as a result of competing demands and little support or reward, inhibit inservice application of preservice methods. (IAH)

Reports examples of the behaviors, including kinetic and vocal, used to facilitate problem-solving based on observations of four seventh-grade students. Discusses the use of the behaviors in problem-solving teaching. (YP)

Described is a two-pronged approach to assessment of cognitive-communicative functions in head injury, incorporating elements of both restorative and compensatory models. The approach combines: (1) use of standardized cognitive measures, and (2) observational protocols for systematic evaluation of functioning on integrated, multicomponent tasks…

The study of variance in observers assessing movement control in children with mild mental retardation found that observers who received informal training needed to observe twice as many trials to reach an acceptable standard of reliability compared to the observers who received competency-based training. (Author/DB)

Explores preschool children's movement responses to music. Using naturalistic procedures Metz generates three substantive core categories regarding the nature of movement response: conditions, interactions, and outcomes. Provides seven propositions for early childhood music education. (LS)

Reported are results of a study on how teachers plan for evaluation of their own instruction and how they implement such plans in the classroom. Subjects were 292 first year elementary and secondary teachers. Results suggest the relationship between evaluation plans and actual in-class evaluation was quite strong. (IAH)

Reports on observations of the guidance and counseling services offered in nine schools in the San Francisco Unified School District, California. Provides a history of the development of these programs, discusses the role of the counselor, sets forth the expected tasks of the counselor while comparing these with the actual work being performed,…

Presents model of multiaxial empirically based assessment in case study of seriously emotionally disturbed child. Illustrates use of Child Behavior Checklist and related forms to obtain data on child's competencies and problems from teachers, parents, and direct observations. Describes combining measures with clinical interviews and…