Presents the value of portfolio experiences for graduate students. Posits that, by using portfolio assessment, students take more responsibility for their own progress, and they have the opportunity to be a part of their own learning process. Provides a summary of student assessments of their portfolio experience. (DSK)

Reports selected findings from a study of number-sense proficiency in students aged 8 to 14 years in Australia, Sweden, the United States, and Taiwan. Comments on the meaning and importance of number sense, the development of the assessment instruments, and student responses to the items. Discusses some implications for classrooms. Contains 39…

Describes how the string orchestra students of Natchitoches Central High School in Natchitoches (Louisiana) and their director commissioned the composer Jody Nagel to write a composition dedicated to their ensemble in order to increase the students' understanding of composition. Discusses student reaction to the project and use of discipline-based…

Investigates whether undergraduate psychology students will give optimistic estimates of their life expectancy if they receive either no information or correct information about the average life expectancy. Reveals that both men and women in each of the two conditions estimated their life span at approximately their actuarial age. (CMK)

Investigates children's perceptions of their success and failure in relation to mathematics, painting, reading, and getting on' with work. Discusses the categories of the children's responses to a series of questions in which effort, specific competence, and the role of teachers were cited the most as a reason for success/failure. (CMK)

Describes a four-week unit developed by the author to teach her at-risk high school students assertive communication as a means of empowerment, a way of taking control of situations. Describes organizing the content and implementing the curriculum, and notes students' positive and enthusiastic feedback. (SR)

Describes the Key Groups that is a 40-60 minute exercise centering on student-led groups that create an answer key to a quiz that the students have taken immediately before the exercise. Recommends using Key Groups because this exercise helps students develop leadership skills and task-group membership. (CMK)

Describes an action research investigation into overcoming a tension felt in a particular approach to teaching literature. Wishes to make studying literature a meaningful experience for students and have them pass exams. Uses the idea of the forum, as described by J. Bruner, as a way of holding these two thrusts together. Evaluates effectiveness…

Suggests that writing, editing, and design (WED) form a symbiotic relationship on each newspaper, graphics, and feature layout. Describes implementing the WED concept at South Dakota State and during summer workshops for yearbook staff. Notes the positive responses of yearbook staff and advisors. (RS)

Designs a technical-communication course for software-engineering majors to take concurrently with their capstone project course in software design. Studies effects of writing on students' user-centered beliefs and design practices and on usability of their product. Suggests the synergy of this interdisciplinary approach sensitized students to…

Describes a thematic unit of study, carried out in a kindergarten class, on traditional aspects of Mexican life. Describes class activities, unit objectives, and student responses in the unit involving geography, art, literacy, and Mexican culture. (SR)

Discusses students' reactions to rage focusing on their responses to bell hooks' collection of essays, "Killing Rage." Believes that by studying postcolonial responses to rage feminist teachers can learn how to responsibly articulate and respond to rage. Considers postcolonial and western feminist responses to rage and addresses using…

This article reviews the literature and examines the effect of increased opportunities to respond (OTR) to academic requests on academic and behavioral outcomes of students with emotional/behavioral disorders. Findings indicate increased rates of OTR result in higher task engagement and academic achievement rates and low rates of inappropriate…

Following the accidental death of a classmate, 26 fellow 8th grade students completed a questionnaire to assess their reactions. Students strongly endorsed the school's response following the death. However, close friends from outside this particular class went largely unnoticed. Recommends that assistance be based on a clear understanding of the…

Discusses an activity that uses the metaphor "the mind is a black box," in which students work in groups to discover what is inside a sealed, black, plastic box. States that the activity enables students to understand the need for theories in psychology and to comprehend how psychologists build, test, and refine those theories. (CMK)