When coaches establish an effective working relationship with parents, the quality of the athlete's, coach's, and parent's experience improves. This article outlines techniques for coaches to gain the confidence and support of parents, to help parents formulate wholesome expectations, and to enlist parents' aid in developing skill and…

This study of sixth grade industrial arts students examined the relationships among declarative, conceptual, and procedural knowledge in the acquisition of ruler measurement skills. Results for 90 sixth graders indicate that the line identification method was superior overall to the fractional method, for both acquisition and retention of skills.…

Examination of a two-year-old's early determiner-noun combinations suggested that early article use can be distributed across a variety of nouns, and that such usage does not seem appropriately characterized as a pattern of limited semantic scope. (CB)

Four eighth-grade students with learning disabilities were taught paragraph-writing skills using a metacognitive text structure strategy, which included an outline as a paragraph planning guide. Results suggest that when provided with such direct, intensive instruction, these students can improve their paragraph writing. (Author/MSE)

Describes the use of keyboarding instruction, without the use of computers, to improve the spelling skills of first grade students. Improvement in various ability groups is discussed, changes in student attitudes are described, and recommendations are given for teachers using the "Keyboard Success" text. (LRW)

Examines previous research on extensive reading, and describes an experiment comparing the improvement of reading comprehension by Japanese college freshmen taught by either a skills-based or extensive reading procedure. Results suggest that extensive reading may be at least as effective as skills building, with the important advantage that it is…

The rapidly expanding literature on the development of language skills and the relationship of language to learning is examined for insights into college writing instruction. Shifts in emphasis in recent research and practice are discussed and new concepts on which to base instruction are proposed. (Author/MSE)

Outlined are procedures used in a techniques class designed to develop communication skills in graduate students. The use of feedback in sessions, value of the class, student evaluations, and conclusions are explained. Tables include evaluation form, student opinion results, and mean scores on evaluation of major projects and assessment of the…

Presents an interdisciplinary approach for helping students develop listening skills through activities which involve anticipating and paying attention to what is heard, as well as responding to oral directions. Provides worksheets, answers, and directions. (RT)

To serve all gifted students, we must broaden identification methods, develop more and varied types of programs, and provide comprehensive teacher training. (Author/TE)

Describes a case study which collected journals from, interviewed, and observed 23 children as they participated in a 6-week creative drama workshop using the Rutgers Imagination Method. Finds improvement in specific areas of learning, including vocabulary, imagery abilities, and dramatic behavior. (SR)

Results of a study with four autistic students (ages five-nine) showed that a picture training procedure was effective in teaching a generalized response to questions for which the relevant cue was visible, whereas specific generalization programing was required for situations in which the relevant cue was not visible. (Author/DB)

Describes several techniques for using authentic materials to improve foreign language (French) listening skills, particularly through enhancement of "skimming" and "scanning" listening techniques. (CB)

Skill-based social deficits exist in students with learning disabilities when a student has not learned a given skill; performance-based deficits exist when the student possesses a skill but doesn't perform in appropriate circumstances. Interventions for both types of deficit and a strategy to build self-control skills are offered. (DB)

Discusses computer competencies for special needs educators. Highlights include the ability to evaluate and match appropriate software to a learner's skills and abilities, helping students use computers as a personal productivity tool, assessing individual needs, integrating technology into multiple environments, and an example of helping a…