After briefly outlining the purpose of the National Diffusion Network (NDN), this article describes five reading programs judged by NDN to be exemplary. Each description includes target audience, content, evidence of effectiveness, implementation requirements, costs, and contact address. Three are primary programs, two elementary, and four…

Cites five innovative projects in China studies operating in elementary and secondary schools. One of several articles on China studies in this journal issue. (SJL)

This article presents an interview with Paul Neff, a veteran teacher at Spokane, Washington's Lewis & Clark High. Paul Neff recently earned a $4,930 grant from the Toshiba America Foundation to purchase global-positioning systems and digital cameras for the Outdoor Living class he just took over two years ago. In an interview, Neff talks about…

Presents a brief description of Adams County District 12's program to promote higher-level thinking skills in its elementary and secondary level gifted students. (SJL)

Back in 2000, Charles Best was teaching at Wings Academy, an alternative high school in the Bronx, when he got the idea for a Web site where teachers could solicit donations for class projects. With help from his students, DonorsChoose.org soon was born. Last year, the site won Amazon.com's Nonprofit Innovation Award. So far, DonorsChoose has…

After spending three years as a kindergarten teacher and one as a reading specialist, Michelle Waters recently became the education outreach coordinator for the Georgia-based Clean Air Campaign. In that role, she has helped roll out a comprehensive Better Air Schools initiative to 20 Atlanta-area elementary schools. The program includes a…

Discusses similarities and differences in the use of puppets and computers as teaching tools in the classroom. Teachers' resistance to puppets is discussed, and four new puppet programs are described. (LRW)

Discusses the motivating factors, organization, training process, problems, and keys to success of a peer counseling program at an inner city Chicago high school. Student counselors are seniors recruited from psychology classes, who receive training, supervision, and support from the school social worker and psychology teachers. (MBR)