Gifted children in regular schools can be served without excessive costs in three ways: withdrawal for special lessons; acceleration, especially differential acceleration in which students may take some lessons with an older group while still remaining identified with their own age group; and enrichment provided within the normal lesson framework.…

Reverse mainstreaming (integrating sighted children into a special class) can be an effective approach with visually impaired elementary students, both in terms of academic benefits (such as increased individualized instruction for sighted students) and social benefits (including a greater understanding of blindness). (CL)

Difficulties facing the development of gifted programs for preschoolers are noted (including problems in identification), and four alternatives are discussed: regular preschool placement, second-grade placement for some part of the day, regular class placement with time for independent work, and preschool gifted class placement. (CL)

Examples of pull-out programs for gifted children (in which students are removed to a special setting for a portion of the school week) are reviewed and reactions of teachers and administrators are cited regarding the model's strengths and weaknesses. Views on the model of six authorities are presented. (CL)

Suggests techniques for planning and administering gifted programs, identifying gifted students, and gaining program acceptance. (JM)

A "Father's Day" was created to promote fathers' participation in a preschool class for physically handicapped and developmentally delayed children. Planning and actual implementation are described along with suggestions for making the day a success. (CL)

The article examines several issues regarding the education of gifted and talented students, by answering letters sent in by readers of the journal. Issues examined include private v public schools, teacher resentment of gifted children, coping with being "different," special classes, and enrichment programs. (DLS)

A review of research was undertaken to clarify the use of time out as a behavior management method in the schools. "Time out," the concept of separating children from their peers, is applied in familial, day care, and school settings to manage negative behaviors. Wide variations in the observed application of time out in regular and…

Based on a study of the differences between the way regular and special education teachers handle classroom transitions, this discussion suggests seven steps special education teachers should take to aid students in classroom transitions. A list of 24 different transition cues is included. (JC)

Teachers in self contained special education classes can learn to monitor and supervise parent and peer volunteers in the classroom. Teachers should remember the parents' background in teaching their children, realize the success demonstrated by nondegreed individuals, and understand the importance of scheduling and reinforcing the volunteers for…

This paper addresses ways in which regular art teachers can effectively serve students with mental disabilities and ways in which administrators can guide their districts regarding integrated situations in art education. A rationale is offered for including art education in the education of students with mental disabilities. Factors to be…

Factors in the physical arrangement of special education classrooms that may lead to greater instructional control and structure include teacher proximity and view, separation of space, and reduction of extraneous stimuli. The issue of making classrooms more relaxed and home-like versus structuring them like regular classes to prepare students for…

This article describes the introduction of writing portfolios to elementary school students with learning disabilities in self-contained special education classrooms. It discusses getting started, contents of the portfolio, instructional goals and objectives, conferences, observations, and portfolio evaluation. (Author/DB)

A self-contained class of students with mild to moderate disabilities published a monthly newsletter which was distributed to students' families. Students became involved in writing, typing, drawing, folding, basic editing, and disseminating. (JDD)

A teacher describes a writing program in his self-contained seventh-grade class for students with emotional disturbances or neurological impairments. Principles such as the importance of positive teacher expectations and plenty of writing time are stressed, and use of word processing, effective class organization, a classroom magazine, and…