Controversial topics may be uncomfortable for teachers to include in their in-class discussions. However, there are considerable cognitive and social-emotional benefits to engagement in controversial conversations, or classroom discussion about controversial topics. It is critical that teachers support students in respectful discussion to help…

Purpose: Even as sites for higher education work to transform curricula and strive for greater diversity among students and faculties, little is done to create safe, inviting environments for people to openly discuss the contradictions and challenges in teaching about differences. The authors' purpose is to examine multiple and intersecting…

Cultivating positive learning environments for underrepresented groups such as students of Chinese American and Latino backgrounds require careful planning and consideration. As our society strives to embrace individual differences of all cultures, educators must equip themselves with effective tools to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics within…

Responding to individual differences in classrooms in which there is increasing diversity is one of the challenges of inclusive education in Australia. The linking of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and assistive technologies (ATs) is one way in which this challenge can be addressed. This article describes an initiative, known as…

Art, drama, music, dance and literature activities are part of the basic components of an early childhood curriculum. They do not rely heavily on oral language or English proficiency, and this makes them accessible to all children regardless of language differences or language abilities. Teachers can use creative expression and art to practice…

The work described in this article represents an effort to foster a contextual understanding of human development in culturally and developmentally diverse classrooms through autobiographical reflection and reflexive inquiry. The author's goal is to use the exercise to foster "deep learning" about human development and to develop a classroom…

All good teachers try hard to treat each child fairly and kindly, with care and concern. Indeed, they are ethically obliged to do so (National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], 2005). As they are human, however, they may occasionally meet a child to whom they react negatively. It is not something to be proud of, but they…

The practice of classroom assessment occurs at the intersection of three teaching functions: instruction, classroom management, and assessment. Theory relevant to studying classroom assessment comes from several different areas: the study of individual differences (e.g., educational psychology, theories of learning and motivation), the study of…

Assessment of the individual student's instructional environment is critical to comprehensive evaluation of the student's strengths and weaknesses. Through observation and interviews, the Instructional Environment Scale systematically describes the extent to which a student's academic or behavior problems are a function of factors in the…

Highlights two studies examining multiple meanings of schooling for 36 adolescent girls in 3 school sites. Focuses on how peer relationships affect the sense of self through hierarchical social groupings, how school tasks either obliterate the self as a participant or provide opportunities for self- discovery, and how teachers can honor…

Following a presentation of Rita and Kenneth Dunn's learning styles model at a NAESP convention, staff at a South Dakota elementary school began teaching students according to their own perceptual strengths. This article profiles teachers' efforts and presents an observation checklist for preparing individualized learning style inventories and…

Gives practical examples of multiple intelligences in the English classroom. Discusses Howard Gardner's "radicalism,""teaching" intelligence, teaching literature and multiple intelligences, and how a student developed strength in his own intelligences through poetry. (RS)

Two case studies examined the relationship between preschool teachers' educational level and their interactions with students. Subjects were two preschool teachers with degrees and three without. Specific similarities and differences among the teachers support the need for instruction in developmentally appropriate practices for adults who work…

Relates personal experiences to the challenges of the inclusive classroom. Details recommendations for inclusive classrooms, including the following: value each child's uniqueness; individualize expectations and goals; adapt the classroom environment to support children's needs; tailor staff responsibilities to support children's needs; and…

Research on the use of computers and other educational technology with young children has become increasingly sophisticated as their use has increased in early childhood educational settings. This paper reviews the research on computers and social interaction, teaching with computers, and curriculum and computers. The review finds that computers…