Discusses concepts that can be taught to orchestra students to garner their attention. Lists six topics that teachers should focus on throughout the year, such as mark your music, look ahead while playing, and advice teachers can give to their students. Includes ideas to prepare students for the future. (CMK)

Focuses on how student problem solving skills can be improved by teaching them a problem solving model. Includes a technique for developing student inquiry thinking using the game, Twenty Questions, or by examining conflicting statements. Includes the article, "Using Problem Solving Skills in a Fifth-Grade Classroom" (Alan Rock and Nicole…

Describes an art activity in which third-grade students learned about elements of color and value by mixing paints to create new colors. Discusses in detail how the students created three snowmen using the colors they mixed. Includes learning objectives, list of materials, and a national visual art standard addressed in this lesson. (CMK)

Describes a unit for fifth- and sixth-grade students that helps develop critical thinking skills. Explains that students read the book, "Leonardo da Vinci" (Diane Stanley), to develop their historical interpretation skills and demonstrate that there is not just one right answer in history. (CMK)

Presents a lesson used with fourth and fifth graders focusing on women's rights in the 1880s in which students solve a mystery through historical research. States the lesson prepares elementary students to investigate historical questions by examining primary sources. (CMK)

Argues that retention statistics indicate that developmental students have the best chance for success when they attend four-year institutions. Discusses the data relative to a new and more successful model for developmental education that eliminates stand-alone remedial courses and instead embeds remedial education in core curriculum. (Contains…

Analyzes why it is important for developmental educators to keep up to date on recent court challenges to diversity. Argues that access to higher education for those who have not traditionally had access is a key element of the developmental education mission. Developmental education programs promote diversity by providing access to…

This paper defines the whole language approach and identifies its strengths and weaknesses. An integrated instructional approach is recommended, balancing meaning and exposure to literature with skills instruction and practice. (Author/JDD)

Parents of 12 preschool children with delayed phonological development were taught to model, reinforce, and in other ways teach their children speech production skills. The speech production skills of experimental subjects improved significantly compared to a period of no intervention and to a contrast group receiving no intervention. (Author/JDD)

This article explains the basic tenets of the skills-based and the holistic philosophies of reading instruction. Although the skills-based approach is dominant in both schools and teacher education, debate exists about the most effective approach. (IAH)

Shares ways in which teachers who use a basal reading series can go beyond the manual and integrate the whole language approach into the language arts program. (MG)

A definition of mental retardation is presented to clarify perceptions of what should happen to persons with mental retardation after identification and program placement. The definition refers to the need for specific skill training and the development of independence. A rationale and six corollaries to the definition are discussed. (JDD)

Problems are identified in adapting findings of laboratory-based cognitive instruction to mainstream classes. A metacognitive instruction model called Process-based Instruction (PBI) is then described. PBI recognizes the importance of interactions between student, teacher, and curriculum content and involves assessment, orientation, strategy…

Under the National Curriculum in the United Kingdom, children with learning difficulties will need to use transfer skills for various cross-curricular themes. To promote transfer, the use of cognitive strategies is recommended, including perceived similarity, analysis of the learning context, expert scaffolding, and detailed planning of practice…

Advocates using broadsides, a form of public announcements in the colonial era, as an example of easily obtainable historical source materials. Examines how studying broadsides promotes skills associated with historical inquiry. Outlines a six-step model for teaching with broadsides. Provides three sample lessons for classroom use of broadsides.…