Relates Iowa's experience with a Government by the People" program for adults using materials from high-school public affairs course on local government. Among the results: most participants believed there would be fewer governmental problems if all people agreed on objectives; most are already satisfied with their local governments. (PD)

Two children's book editors, an author, and the director of a children's book research center briefly state their views about what constitutes a "good" book for children. Activities of the Cooperative Children's Book Center in Wisconsin, where librarians, teachers, students, and University of Wisconsin faculty discuss new children's…

Discusses a model for training supervisors, helpers and other leaders of small group discussions with a specific goal. Describes the model's five stages: (1) trainer models leader behavior, (2) subgroup members practice leading, (3) subgroup's behavior processed, (4) critiques leader's behavior, and (5) total group shares observations and…

Discusses how teachers can effectively begin and lead discussion groups for parents of young children. Needs for and characteristics of parent guidance groups are indicated, aspects of the role of the group leader are specified, and ways to begin a parent guidance group are suggested. In conclusion, common concerns of parents are described.…

Principals and counselors can work together to prevent stress and burnout in teachers, resulting in a healthier school climate. This article suggests five objectives that can provide a basis for program building. (Author/WD)

Describes a group process experience, Work Exploration and Discussion Group (WEDG). This step in the rehabilitation of psychiatrically disabled was found to be useful because it gave clients the opportunity to face their fears about working and to clarify their own work values before initiating placement efforts. (Author)

A life-skill development approach to parent education focuses on effective parenting practices. The group medium helps parents understand their role and acquire new strategies. A facilitator supplies direction to enhance knowledge and skill development. (Author/JAC)

Focuses on a program providing foreign language instruction to students whose background derives from the country of that language's origin. The article notes that students in this program work on their own, coming together for small group conversation sessions. The article points out that these students often regard the study of their language as…

Discusses in depth the kinds of trust within classroom communities that make reader-response groups work (trust between teachers and students, trust among students, and students having trust in themselves). (SR)

Presents a collection of excerpts from a recent virtual class discussion students (primarily senior English majors planning to become English teachers) had on a course listserv regarding young adult literature. Contains annotations of 10 recommended works of YA literature. (SG)

University preparation programs in school counseling, special education, and social work services remain separate with pre-service collaboration virtually nonexistent. A multidisciplinary electronic discussion forum was implemented to overcome the traditional barriers of space and time to allow students to use the Internet to collaborate in their…

Notes that asynchronous online discussion forums can enhance community college students' education. Focuses on how online discussion forums uniquely contribute to the teaching and learning of community college students. Discusses benefits of the online discussion forum. Concludes that educators must continue identifying who students are, how they…

Discusses seating arrangements in small developmental classes, suggesting that having students sit in a semi-circle or work in small groups can be effective ways to keep students from attempting to disappear in the back of the class. Also offers ways to deal with this issue in a computer classroom. (NB)

Describes an elementary school book club with 12 elementary teachers, their principal, and 2 university teachers reading the same piece of contemporary multicultural fiction and keeping response journals. Describes how their discussions were studied and how the literature discussions changed their classroom practices. (SR)