Many students and teachers find creative writing to be too complex to manage. Teachers are unable to identify ways to help students develop necessary skills through creative writing. Teachers can make writing manageable by giving children opportunities that isolate, compartmentalize, and focus on specific aspects of the writer's craft. (Author/NQ)

This manual adapts the pedagogy used on the playing field, the studio, and the stage to the classroom. This method, called "Pep Talk," encourages teachers to: (1) create a need to know; (2) challenge students to know; (3) show how to know; (4) apply know-how; and (5) know how to inspire cooperation. Pep talk is the method coaches use when they…

This 30-minute videotape program is designed to show educators, librarians, and parents that teaching children how to write poetry will help them feel their worth, instill confidence in them, and create in them an enthusiasm for learning in general. The program is part of the "Poetry and Children Series," which is based on the idea that…

Discusses ways that the vocational teacher can provide a good environment for learning. Techniques include (1) knowing the students, (2) planning instruction, (3) preparing physical surroundings, (4) fostering good relationships with and among students, (5) varying strategies, (6) providing praise, and (7) sponsoring a vocational student…

Describes how letters from the author's son acted as a major motivational technique to involve students in a remedial reading class. (DD)

Presents the concept of using posters that deliver their message in a cartoon format and language aimed at engaging the attention of secondary school students to promote awareness of the relevance of physics and generate enthusiasm for physics among students. Provides information for ordering the posters. (JRH)

Starting with H.W. Seliger's distinction between second language learning strategies (abstract cognitive functions used to acquire knowledge) and learning tactics (activities learner uses to acquire language), presents the most important tactics and comments on which learner characteristics and teaching methods take advantage of them. Tactics…

The order of presentation of topics is an important factor in the success of introductory psychology courses. Criteria for judging the efficacy of a course sequence should include use of students' entry level skills as a foundation, sections following each other coherently, and motivation for students to learn "hard" material. (CS)

Presents techniques from Writing Across the Curriculum adapted to the foreign language classroom. Strategies for encouraging students to write more effectively in the foreign language are described. The strategies include assigning relevant topics, treating writing as a process, and responding to and evaluating student writing in a more…

Language teachers are urged to explore, develop, and use the entire range of applications made possible by the computer and to realize that the computer can do almost anything but generate ideas. (MSE)

Keeping a journal of classroom experiences can help students express their understandings of the concepts they learn in school and how the lessons relate to their own lives. An eight-item reference list is provided. (Author)

Motivating music students to practice is a perennial concern for teachers and parents. Behavioral contracts, in which the teacher or parent guarantees a certain reward in return for the student completing a designated task, is one solution. How to construct a contract is discussed. A sample contract is included. (RM)

Outlines a year-long program for fifth-grade students who feel shy and insecure about writing and/or who make gross spelling errors. Emphasis is on remedial spelling activities. (RH)

Concerned that many students were barely surviving introductory chemistry rather than thriving, one college teacher used classroom research to assess and encourage student involvement and to understand students' difficulties with the material. Although student achievement has not risen measurably, students appreciate the techniques and participate…

Emphasizing reading and writing, this booklet discusses the concept of motivation and examines the many factors that influence an at-risk learner in the classroom learning environment. Chapters in the booklet highlight such topics as identification of at-risk learners, various motivational theories, personal and cognitive influencing factors, a…