While other factors affect mastery of a lesson, closure helps learners know what they learned, why they learned it, and how it is useful. The five most common methods of closure are reviewed and techniques for incorporating them into lesson planning are discussed. (MT)

Three substitute teachers give six suggestions for making substitute teachers feel more welcome, more effective, and more useful. (MT)

An eight-step teaching guide to help elementary students become familiar with electronic calculators. (Author/SJL)

The author suggests that the substitute teacher prepare a portable collection of materials and lesson plans that can be adapted to each new class. She details the types of materials such a briefcase file should contain. "Sub Center" is a new monthly column for substitute teachers. (SJL)

This hands-on science unit includes a beginners' and an advanced activity involving tree sap, as well as a brief description of a maple sap harvest. (CB)

Presents seven writing lessons for elementary students: choosing effective words; writing similes; writing paragraphs; writing descriptions; letter writing; comparing and contrasting; and understanding point of view. Some of the lessons have unusual themes, such as pizza, pickles, and hoboes. (SJL)

This article presents a rationale for using songwriting in the elementary grades and outlines a plan by which a whole class of fifth- or sixth-graders can work together to write a song. (SJL)

Experienced elementary classroom teachers and substitutes discuss planning ahead for a substitute teacher, suggesting a substitute folder which includes any information to be relayed and a substitute activity bag containing lessons and activities. Games and activities that can be adapted for any grade level are described. (SM)

Presents a six-step problem-solving process which the author has used to present creative science investigations to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. (Author/SJL)

Presents four science lessons based on food preparation: building an electric hot dog cooker; examining a microwave oven; discovering why popcorn pops; and making soda pop. (SJL)

Presents tips and a checklist to help primary teachers prepare for a new school year. Suggests that in August the teacher should prepare the classroom, decide on the schedule and class rules, meet parents, and prepare a teaching plan for the first day of school. (SJL)

One way to give students the most comprehensive reading instruction is to combine techniques from three approaches to reading: literature based reading instruction, the whole language strategy, and the use of basal readers. Lesson plans and student activities which demonstrate this combined approach are presented. (IAH)

Presents five individual lesson plans to help elementary students progress through the writing process, from establishing a climate for writing through observing to rewriting, polishing, and mechanics. Each lesson includes a reproducible letter to involve parents in their child's writing. Part two of this article will appear in February 1982.…

Presents ideas from the Center for Research and Development in Law-Related Education for lesson plans to celebrate the Bill of Rights. The article offers projects, resources, and reproducibles that describe the Bill of Rights and how to teach elementary and secondary students about the subject. (SM)