Shares some of the author' poignant reflections on her personal experience of introducing critical literacy to a continuing education class in reading and composition. Notes that two things were missing from this class: an equal representation of student voices, and the teacher's identity as a "text" for the classroom dynamic of authority. (SR)

Investigates the extent that English primary science teachers press for casual understanding through their discourse in science lessons. Observed Key Stage 2 lessons (n=50) for students ages seven to eleven and the nature of teachers' discourse. Reports that discourse on facts and description were common, while there were low levels of discourse…

Explores accounts given by male music teachers about practices used with boys and the role of the male music teacher through data collected during two research studies. Reports that male teachers tend to reinforce gender stereotypical behaviors in boys instead of challenging ideas of masculinity. (CMK)

Demographic and perception data were collected from 63 teachers (grades 1-5) to determine the effect of sociocultural variables on teachers' perceptions of classroom behavior, management, and referral tendencies. Teachers' perceptions of a learning disability, educational level, grade level, instructional practices, and prereferral intervention…

Examines the interactions that take place as nine exemplary teachers from New Zealand provide support for struggling writers in ways that inadvertently often turn out to be less effective than they hoped. Discusses four ways to produce unintended outcomes. Illustrates that even for exceptional teachers of writing, conducting effective conferences…

Middle school teachers are more active decision makers than their high school counterparts. However, the kinds of decisions that the two groups make are extremely similar. In contrast, secondary science teachers and elementary teachers make decisions at about the same interval--one decision every two minutes. (JD)

Discusses specific problems (arising in the context of a writing center visit) that writing assignments have caused students. Considers problems in teachers communicating objectives with students, unspecific teacher comments on students' papers, lack of examples for the writing assignment, overemphasis on grammatical correctness, unspecified…

Presents a small sampling of the letters and manuscripts received in response to an earlier article by Karen Jost. Notes that, upon considering all the responses, those supporting Jost's position that writing teachers should not be expected to write outnumber those disagreeing by five to one. (RS)

Reports the results of a survey of Wisconsin secondary social studies teachers designed to answer the question: To what extent do teachers use simulations? Describes the study designed to replicate an earlier survey of Ohio teachers in 1979 by J.J. Blaga. Compares the results of the two surveys. Concludes simulation use has increased. (RW)

Examines preservice teachers' understanding of an analytic framework for making classroom-level decisions about students' instructional needs in reading. Finds that the content of teacher responses to student problems is affected by the content of each problem area and of each problem scenario. Discusses the patterns of teacher responses in terms…

A general overview of desirable teacher characteristics includes: the use of individual teaching strategies, especially those that promote critical thinking skills; the ability to develop individualized and cooperative curricula; extensive subject-matter knowledge; and the ability to view and handle the dynamics of a classroom. (Author)

A questionnaire was used to survey teachers in an attempt to determine whether there were characteristics particular to kindergarten teachers who strongly supported parent involvement in kindergarten programs. Findings suggest that there are such characteristics. (Author/BB)

Investigates perceptions of 58 children of 3-5 years concerning their experiences in day care. Children were interviewed with the Day Care Center Toy And Interview Questionnaire. Questions concerned liking for day care, problem situations, day care activities, and behaviors of teachers. (RJC)

In a comparison of two early childhood teachers, Teacher N's environment was open and soft with complex and super units. But Teacher N failed to interact with the children. Although Teacher K's setting was closed, hard, and simple, she had good rapport with the children. (RJC)

Describes effects of field dependent and independent cognitive styles on teachers' instructional behaviors and compatibility between student and teacher. (RJC)