The use of alternative classroom seating has recently become a topic of interest in education. Many teachers have redesigned their classrooms to include many forms of classroom seating aside from traditional student desks. These forms of seating include but are not limited to: therapy balls, therapy cushions, and beanbag chairs. While this…

This paper explores personalised learning, which is a "new" teaching and learning style in the Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners launched by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) for England in 2004. The research was based on semi-structured interviews with 13 teachers mainly in charge of Key Stage 3 at two 11-18…

This article discusses individualized instruction in physical education programs and suggests how to implement a "levels approach" to meet student needs. The Secondary Physical Education Curriculum and Resource Guide was prepared to integrate curriculum planning components with a focus on individualization. (DF)

Presents ideas for creating a purposeful classroom environment that will help students become strategic readers. Suggestions include using the conference table to learn about students as readers, organizing books to help children make wise choices, and creating a meeting area that invites discussion. (SM)

The paper investigated four Chinese graduate students' perceptions of the major differences between North American and Chinese classroom teaching styles. Major differences in the following five areas were identified: 1) the teacher's role, 2) the student's role, 3) the form of class organization, 4) the teacher's expectations, and 5) the student's…

The six editions of this newsletter provide a forum for the sharing of research findings and instructional strategies by faculty of Western Michigan University on issues connected with critical thinking. Topics addressed include alternative program designs for critical thinking instruction, a philosophical exploration of what critical thinking is,…

This synthesis offers a descriptive inventory of research studies of cooperative learning at the secondary level. While cooperative learning techniques vary, they all share an interest in finding an alternative to "frontal teaching"--the teacher instructing the whole class or individual seatwork by students. Cooperative methods allow…

Provides a description of a classroom procedure incorporating small group work to help students develop critical thinking skills. (DF)

Describes a pilot "work required" assessment procedure in a high school English class. Shows how the skills of classroom negotiation work when students plan and manage instruction. Discusses learning to negotiate, the advantages of the program, trials and errors, the change in classroom climate, and negotiating reading. (EL)

Describes one teacher's inclusion of the Morning Meeting concept in her third-grade classroom and relates student success in standardized testing to its implementation. Provides detailed information on Morning Meeting including its structure, rationale, and influence; includes an argument for immediate implementation. Concludes by asserting that…

A program was implemented for improving student's motivation in order to increase their performance and self-esteem. The targeted population consisted of primary grade students in middle-class communities within the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Analysis of probable cause data revealed students' lack of skills related to organization,…

Within the Caribbean context, the island of Montserrat included, ability grouping has been employed as the major organizational strategy to address academic deficiencies among high school students. Although no sound philosophical basis for this type of class/group organization has been enunciated, recent research has shown that students with poor…

This paper examines the methods used in designing school and classroom environments. The tools are labeled: (1) discipline-centered schooling; (2) empirical-naturalistic schooling; and (3) great works schooling. First, the outline endeavors to reveal the essential elements of the three tools that represent images, structures, or "maps" of…

Discusses the role of the teacher, the nature of learning, and the relationships between students and teachers in calling for a science of English teaching. (DF)

Offers suggestions for organizing the primary classroom to provide ideal conditions for teaching reading. (DF)