Presents thoughtful writings by underprivileged seven- and eight-year olds, and analyzes how they were produced. Includes an introductory lesson and supporting strategies related to content and method. Provides a view of the placement of such a lesson in the context of cognitive psychology and philosophy of education. (DR)

Discusses the use of early silent films in second-language classrooms, focusing on the experiences of one instructor in using early French silents in elementary and intermediate French courses. Sample lesson plans and information on the availability of French silents are also provided. (Contains 17 references.) (MDM)

A sensitivity training session to help elementary-grade teachers better understand the experience of students with learning disabilities is suggested, using an altered alphabet in a standard second-grade lesson plan format. (DB)

Presents a teaching strategy that uses modeling, discussion, and group work to teach reading research strategies in context. (SR)

Offers several elementary level cooperative science lesson plans. The article includes a recipe for cooperative class learning, instructions for making a compost pile, directions for finding evidence of energy, experiments in math and science using oranges to test density, and discussions of buoyancy using eggs. (SM)

Author presents suggestions for teaching courses for the first time. Suggestions include the following: be organized, remember basic science processes, study the new content, use what works, structure your lessons, be flexible, learn from students, be creative and willing to try new ideas, capitalize on what you know, seek help from every…

Presents a lesson to help students learn that Africans played a significant role in the abolition of the slave trade based on Olaudah Equiano's "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano," which places an African writer in the center of a discussion on works published in Britain. (SR)

The views of Piaget, Ausubel, and Bruner have been used to present an integrated view of biology lesson construction and to assist teachers in the design and development of tools and strategies to improve their teaching. The structure of an integrated model for biology lesson construction and an example of a biolesson using the metaparadigmatic…

This article considers educational implications of a child with cancer, including incidence, telling the child about his/her disease, school reentry, what classmates want to know, counseling the child with cancer, handling the issue of death, and staff issues. A lesson plan on childhood cancer for elementary students is also included. (DB)

Portuguese researchers studied secondary teachers' conceptions of teaching physics. Subjects examined vignettes describing various plans for physics lessons, then reflected on the situations. Researchers analyzed subjects' pedagogical arguments and delimited types of science teaching conceptions. Most subjects appeared to work according to a…

Describes "Theatre Sports," a type of improvisational theater that actively involves the audience. Presents a beginning workshop that explains the basic skills of improvisation (group cohesion and trust, movement, pantomime, spontaneity, offers and blocking, characterization and status, narrative, and endowment) and explains how to play…

Outlines a drama lesson, based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, designed to develop characterization through the use of role playing. (PRA)

Introduces a computer lesson for use with elementary ESL students when they first arrive at school to help them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings. Describes how the lesson introduces students to simple vocabulary they can use in everyday situations along with the corresponding written words. (MG)

An experimental microteaching technique is discussed that uses a variety of components: modeling, lesson planning, teaching, and conferencing. Experiences with a group of trainees are reported. Evaluation checklists are included. (Contains 17 references.) (LB)

Reviews the teaching method called "Directed Reading-Thinking Activity" and shows how it might be employed in mathematics instruction. Expands the concept to include directed reading and thinking. Provides practical lesson plans and classroom methods which utilize these teaching concepts. (HB)