When an elementary school's most disruptive students were invited to write an advice column about school-related and personal problems, the students were not only genuinely helpful, but also felt better about themselves and began to solve their own problems. (CB)

A teaching unit on economics discusses basic background information, suggests classroom activities, and lists sources of instructional resources. Reproducible masters for two instructional levels are included and introduce economics law and basic financial management. (FG)

Describes creative ways for teachers to handle difficult classroom discipline situations, focusing on how to deal with defiant disruptives, noncombatant noncompliers, and incessant interrupters. The article discusses potentially difficult situations and explains how best to handle them in a positive manner. (SM)

An elementary teacher discusses her methods of dealing with a fourth grader who threw temper tantrums when he could not do his work. She offered to bring her dog to school if he showed self-control for a week. He worked hard, avoided temper tantrums, and his positive behavior was rewarded. (SM)

Strategies in conflict resolution are suggested for reducing bickering and fighting in the elementary classroom. Strategies include sharpening perceptions, fair fighting techniques, direct communication, and mediation. (JD)

A teacher offers six suggestions for giving students opportunities to exercise their commonsense thinking skills. This allows the teacher to ask rather than tell, listen rather than talk, and allows the children to provide for themselves. (MT)

A teacher recounts how she dealt with a new student who was prone to tears and her peers who liked to evoke them. After discovering that the child had family problems, the teacher selected a group of peers to befriend her. (CB)

Reasons for the failure of a teachers' strike are analyzed. (JD)

Suggestions are made for overcoming these common learning problems: (1) can't stick to a task; (2) trouble organizing time and space when starting or finishing a task; (3) trouble dealing with verbal information; (4) visual and visual-motor difficulties; (5) trouble understanding spoken language; and (6) trouble memorizing. (JD)

Describes how to handle noncompliant students in the classroom. Suggestions include eliminating excessive expectations, encouraging assertiveness, offering options and choices, giving the students specific responsibilities, taking control of homework, taking steps to avert potentially oppositional behavior, strategically rewarding compliance,…

One of the best tools for sharpening students' problem solving skills can be found in the mystery story, which calls for logical thinking, paying attention to detail, and distinguishing between facts and assumptions. Activities that can help to develop problem solving skills are described along with several references to mystery magazines and…

Teachers need to watch for hidden visual problems which may affect their students' learning. The article discusses vision and learning, visual efficiency problems, and treatment; it describes conditions and symptoms of visual processing and efficiency disorders. (SM)

Three different methods used to combat the psychological and emotional burnout of teachers are outlined. (JMF)

A sample of children aged 7 to 11 were surveyed concerning their feelings about their family lives, their friends, schools, health, and neighborhood activities. (JMF)

This column discusses five children's books selected to develop math concepts involving problem solving, reasoning, and communication. The books are "Only One" (Marc Harshman); "The Librarian Who Measured the Earth" (Kathryn Lasky); "Counting Jennie" (Helena C. Pittman); "The Search for Delicious" (Natalie Babbitt); and "The Toothpaste…