Investigates the difference between children's drawings from two- and three-dimensional models, specifically, the influence of color and line, the difference between multicolor and monochrome material, and gender differences. Finds that children's drawings present detailed information about the subject first, then simple proportions, and finally…

Examines responses of K-12 students about their conception of heroes. Shows that all students employ an operational definition of hero, and tend to name someone whom they personally know. Identifies an increasing concentration on sustained behavior over a period of time for choosing a hero as students become older. (DSK)

Children (N=110, ages 8 to 10) with either normal or poor reading ability were tested on (1) ability to recall sequences of nonspeech tones presented at various rates, and (2) ability to make phonetic decisions using brief and transitional properties of the speech signal. Results did not support the hypothesis that temporal-processing deficits…

Based on a two-year study of children in a classroom environment, this article focuses on an early period of writing development in which many unconventional punctuation behaviors occur. Describes a range of types of unconventional punctuation and assigns them a common underlying principle, that of using punctuation according to graphic principles…

Introduces this annual theme issue on the expanding role of the teacher. Maintains that an increasingly recurrent theme in conversations about education is scaling down and refocusing on what is central to teaching and learning. Asserts that the biggest challenge lies in how to actually do this. Concludes that teachers' basic contract with the…

Presents scientific explanations of primary colors and color mixing, black and white surfaces, the spectrum and the ability of the eye to distinguish color difference, the description of color, and the appearance and optical properties of metals. Contains 16 references. (Author)

Attempts to determine the relative difficulty of playing selected types of melodic pattern by ear; studies the effects of performance experience and instrument family on the ability to play by ear; and investigates the relationship between tonal aptitude and ability to play by ear. Presents results and questions for further research. (DSK)

Investigates effects of variations in tone quality on listeners' perception of both tone quality and intonation. Indicates that more inexperienced instrumentalists rated stimuli that were "brighter" in quality as sharper in intonation, and those that were "darker" as flatter. Also, finds differences for brass versus woodwind instruments. (DSK)

Describes interviews with 65 children in Grades 1-5 concerning their understanding/experiences with death and suicide. By third grade, students have an elaborate understanding of suicide; they learn about suicide from television and discussions with other children, but rarely from adults. Level of development of the concept of suicide is related…

Analogies drawn from a whitewater kayaking trip illustrate principles of enactive theory, which holds that mind, body, and world are interconnected. Learning, action, and place influence, and are influenced by, each other. Experience emerges collectively through the interrelationships of body, environment, social history, and perception as a…

Explores the math and science experiences and perceptions of a group of ethnically diverse, low socioeconomic status, rural and urban adolescent Appalachian girls. (Author/CCM)

Examined degree to which analytic and holistic modes of processing play a role in children's and adults' categorization of faces. Found a developmental trend from analytic to holistic processing and an effect of face inversion with increasing age. Seven-year-olds processed faces comparably to nonfacial visual stimuli, whereas a growing proportion…

Outlines a basic structure for assessing the needs of individuals with visual impairments and setting up a system for labeling and marking that will meet those needs. Steps for organizing items, encouraging the development of sensory abilities, and selecting visual, tactual, or auditory systems are described. (CR)

Aspects of cognitive processing were evaluated for 462 adolescents followed for 14 years. Adolescents had been exposed prenatally to a broad range of maternal drinking, mostly at "social" levels. Alcohol-related deficits on cognitive tasks were summarized by a speed-accuracy trade-off on the spatial-visual reasoning task. (SLD)

Expectations for the principalship have mushroomed during the past 20 years. Principals are key reform agents and held mercilessly accountable. Candidates are in short supply. Capable principals are great assets, not heroic beings. Leadership is not centrally vested and must be distributed more broadly. (Contains 36 references.) (MLH)