Describes the use of teacher stories (both positive and negative) in teacher education, explaining the long-term goal of getting students to internalize stories that would help guide their actions in the classroom. Student reactions to teacher stories varied depending on the stories and contexts of the readings. A comprehensive list of teacher…

A study examined the integrity with which four general education teachers implemented an intervention designed to improve the academic performance of elementary school students. The teachers markedly increased the integrity of the delivered treatment when they were provided with performance feedback and students' performance improved as integrity…

Examines effects of direct instruction sequence that included demanded eye contact, step-by-step directions, modeling, praise, and redirectives on teacher and student behavior in preschool setting. All participating teachers implemented instructional sequence with high levels of integrity following training and engaged in more instructional…

This research aimed to develop an instrument to measure teacher behaviors that create a caring learning environment and determine these behaviors' usage frequency. The instrument proved reliable. Five broad behaviors emerged: ability to reduce anxiety, willingness to listen, rewarding of appropriate behavior, being a friend, and appropriately…

Presents a novel application of analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques to compare the reliability of multiple peer ratings with single teacher ratings. Uses rating data from two different courses, both involving multiple peer and individual teacher ratings that were used to assess student contributions to group process work. Discusses…

Recognizes the influence of praise on human behavior, and provides specific suggestions on how to maximize the positive effects of praise when intended as positive reinforcement. Examines contingency, specificity, and selectivity aspects of praise. Cautions teachers to avoid the controlling effects of praise and the possibility that praise may…

A study analyzed the communicative dynamics occurring during explicit instruction of a grammatical concept (concerning French verbs) taught within the students' Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Analysis focused on discourse strategies used at four levels of the ZPD. (Contains 48 references.) (Author/MSE)

Reports a survey of practicing biology teachers in the State of Maine and their use of conservation magazines, in particular, "Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine," in their classrooms. Results indicate that 30% of the responding teachers use conservation magazines. Common uses include reporting research, discussing ethical issues, and…

Examines the causes and nature of teacher-coach role conflict and discusses its impact on regular students and student-athletes at four-year colleges. Recent research suggests that it is difficult for student athletes to receive a quality education and that teacher-coaches are often indifferent to academic achievement. (MDM)

The Positive Classroom Management program trains teachers to mean business without being dragged into fruitless power struggles and student backtalk. The program helps teachers learn to take control of the situation by remaining calm, thinking before speaking, and using effective body language. (SM)

A recent study surveyed the extent and sources of educators' relevant legal knowledge, their consultation patterns, and everyday legal problems confronting them. Areas of greatest concern were school safety, teacher liability, child protection, and custody and access issues. Training and professional- development implications are discussed.…

Provides background on the pupil-teacher centers within an historical context and addresses three defenses of the centers: (1) teacher reaction against the opinions that identified faults of the centers; (2) a policy to highlight the center's benefits and strengths; and (3) questioning the wisdom of relocating students to secondary schools. (CMK)

Investigated elementary and secondary teachers' intentions to teach physically active physical education classes, examining a model hypothesizing that teachers' intentions were determined by subjective norm, attitude, perceived behavioral control, and self-efficacy. Teacher surveys supported the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior.…

Shows teachers who self-reported they were developing constructivist approaches to classroom instruction had contradictory beliefs about dealing with reading and writing errors, and about addressing errors with more- and less-able readers and writers. Shows the teachers were convinced that students' inaccurate constructions of knowledge should be…

Notes that teachers need to demonstrate a love of reading in order to pass it on to their students. Discusses ways to encourage a love of reading through book groups, reading goals, daily oral and silent reading, and sharing the impact of reading with students. (SC)