Based on a database of lesson extracts, this article attempts to characterize task-based interaction in the second-language classroom as a variety, discusses its pedagogical and interactional advantages and disadvantages, and considers what kinds of learning it might be promoting. (Author/VWL)

Presents a lesson-planning instrument for English-as-a-Second-Language courses to help clarify the role of lesson planning in teaching. The instrument can be used by teacher trainers to introduce trainees to lesson planning or by teachers looking for a change of pace. (Author/VWL)

This regular feature of "Reaching Today's Youth" provides information designed to enable individuals to facilitate one- to two-hour training sessions appropriate for teachers, other professionals, and parents who want to increase their understanding of working effectively with students with challenging behaviors. This volume focuses on specific…

This module provides information designed to enable individuals to facilitate one- to two-hour training sessions appropriate for teachers, other professionals, and parents. It focuses on specific strategies intended to empower students with challenging behaviors to help themselves. It describes service learning, examines factors in developing…

Describes the GEM (Gateway to Educational Materials) project that was developed to provide retrieval of lesson plans and teacher guides on the Internet <http://www.thegateway.org>. Discusses the development of a metadata set for controlled description based on the Dublin Core, distributing GEM metadata on the World Wide Web, and future…

Argues that conversations about books should be everyday occurrences in classrooms. Suggests that busy reading teachers try retellings. Includes a sample lesson. (RS)

Explains the instructional planning self-reflective tool (IPSRT) that can be used to facilitate self-regulatory strategies, specifically self-monitoring and self-evaluation, in instructional planning for pre-service teachers. Discusses traditional instructional systems design, the importance of lesson planning, instructional goals and objectives,…

Lists 24 writing lesson plans or teaching approaches designed to keep students engaged toward the end of the school year, including list making, ABC stories, fractured fairy tales, cut word stories, "bummer behavior" letter writing, and using children's books as a stimulus. (TB)

Presents an activity involving balloons to help students understand characteristics of polymers. (MKR)

Presents activities to stimulate student interest in nature. Includes activity ideas to learn about birds, astronomy, weather, wildlife, and water resources. Also contains contact information for four agencies that provide additional activities. (MKR)

Details three lessons that explore volume, weight, and mass. (MKR)

Describes a lesson that outlines a statistics/probability investigation into some aspects of past performance in snooker (a billiards game) using the random number generator on a graphing calculator. (MKR)

Describes a lesson designed to teach the probabilistic topics of permutation and combinations in a constructivist manner. (ASK)

Describes the classroom practices of 92 K-12 beginning teachers with five or fewer years of teaching experience. Surveys these teachers relative to their knowledge of, use of, and interest in learning content reading strategies; their sources of information regarding reading strategies; and their confidences and concerns about preparing lessons.…

Discusses the advantages of using situation comedies to teach pragmatic language usage in a second or foreign language. Gives advice on how to choose and use sitcoms and provides a sample lesson plan. (Author/VWL)