What happens in a classroom that fosters the Harvard Project Zero teaching for understanding framework? That is the initial inquiry for this pilot ethnographic study of African American fifth graders in an urban public school. The study sets out to show how children are engaged in a class set up to understand science and mathematics. Themes…

Seeks to develop individualized instruction programs for peer teaching. (DS)

In an 8-month peer tutoring program, unmotivated children in grades 7 and 8 tutored unmotivated children in grades 2 and 3. Improvements in attitude and behavior resulted for both tutors and tutees, with the exception of one emotionally disturbed child. (MK)

Discusses a study that investigated the effects of a peer tutoring inservice program on home economics teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward integrating handicapped students into the regular classroom. (JOW)

Reports on an investigation into the level of economic literacy among teachers in a large western state. Describes popularity of economic education workshops conducted to raise economic literacy among teachers. Suggests making workshops more effective by training strategies and follow-up peer coaching in the classroom. (MH)

Following training and experience as peer tutors in a behaviorally oriented reading program for junior high school students, formerly disruptive students decreased their disruptive behaviors and exhibited improved morale and increased academic progress. This article describes the program and provides suggestions for implementing a similar one.…

Focusing on the expectations of schools, teachers, parents, peers, and society for the gifted and talented, the author proposes curriculum design, gives guidelines for parent-teacher conferences, outlines the benefits of peer instruction, and suggests ways that parents and society can identify talented students and enrich their education. (SK)

The relationships among students and group characteristics, group interaction, and achievement in cooperative small groups were investigated. Three categories of interaction were related to achievement: receiving no explanation in response to a question or error was negatively related to achievement; giving explanations and receiving explanations…

Limited English speaking elementary students were provided a structured opportunity for natural language practice with their fluent peers. Limited effect on language proficiency was found. However, the discussion emphasizes the importance of using fluent students' language input, an often ignored resource, in designing ESL programs. (MSE)

Provides resources for teachers who wish to establish programs of peer or cross-age tutoring. (FL)

The effectiveness of peer-centered and instructor-centered formats for teaching-assistant led discussion sections in chemistry was examined. Students with interpersonally oriented learning styles benefited more from interactive learning opportunities while those with other learning styles gained more from impersonal media such as textbooks.…

Describes two introductory college-level geography programs which use undergraduate students as peer teachers. In a human geography course, they act as small-group leaders in role-playing simulations. In a physical geography course, peer teachers serve as tutors for mastery learning. Socio-psychological, pedagogical, economic, and political…

Five contributors discuss the following topics: bringing comics to life through readers theatre, peer tutoring to improve word attack and comprehension skills, using storytelling to increase reading comprehension skills on Okinawa, beginning reading in Italy, and using remedial reading students as tutors for younger students. (FL)