This book shows teachers how to reclaim their students' attention and, in the process, help them absorb information and stay on task. There are over 30 tips that are practical, not always obvious, and well tested. Three parts focus on: (1) "HotTips for Opening the Lesson" (e.g., fill the room with I.D. posters, ask opening questions, get…

Part of a series offering focused, authoritative treatments of subjects of current interest to educators and other readers, this fastback focuses on the topic of humor, particularly its usefulness in instruction. The fastback asserts that humor can increase attention and retention across curricular areas, create a more positive school climate,…

Student volunteers arrange themselves according to height, weight, and grade point average, and in 15 to 20 minutes, a number of statistical concepts are introduced and worked with in an introductory statistics course. (MLW)

Discusses techniques and learning activities to be used in the English as a second language classroom. These include fictionary, phonework, a group project in writing using simulation, student surveys, and planning a party. (SED)

This book offers countless practical ideas for student activities in the areas of literature, reading, writing, and thematic units, from the exploration of ghostly themes, to the writing of resumes for heroes, to devising yearbook entries or Web pages for famous literary characters. The book provides the middle school or secondary school classroom…

A monthly exchange of tips, projects, ideas and resources. (Editor)

Describes how to boost elementary students' confidence and nurture responsibility by making students resident experts at review stations. Students rotate from station to station where the experts are learning at their own pace, spending more time on material they do not understand, and receiving personal attention and immediate feedback. (SM)

Proposing that Socratic seminars can lead to true educational reform, this article examines the use of these seminars to enlarge elementary and secondary students' understanding of ideas and to encourage instruction that is not restricted by established syllabi, courses, or examinations. Socratic discussion is lacking in most classrooms but should…

Designed for use primarily by elementary school teacher and parent use, the book presents practical ideas and teaching tips. Each idea is presented in large print on a separate page, accompanied by cartoon-like illustrations. Suggestions begin with things to do the first day of school and progress through the last week of school. Examples of ideas…

The developer of a one-semester course in creative thinking for university undergraduates, which was later adapted for adult students, describes the course, suggests ways a teacher may unlock blocks to creativity, and offers some learning activities designed to stimulate creativity in any classroom. Selected references are given. (AJ)

This book presents six units filled with games, hints, and special game variations for teaching elementary school physical education classes. It is intended to help physical education teachers increase the time students are active in class, minimize discipline problems, develop healthy attitudes that lead to a lifetime of physical activity, save…

The organization/outlining unit in the basic Public Speaking course can be made more interesting by using a color-coded instructional method that captivates students, facilitates understanding, and provides the opportunity for interesting reinforcement activities. The two part lesson includes a mini-lecture with a color-coded outline and a two…

Tips for teaching students about Native Americans include reading poems that lead to the study of certain tribes, studying the present day as well as the past, having Native Americans visit the classroom, reading culturally sensitive books on Native Americans, and acknowledging differences between tribes. (SM)

A recent study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) directly links writing effectiveness to development of skills in critical thinking. This ERIC Digest discusses: (1) recent research on the linkage between writing and learning; (2) successful approaches to teaching writing; and (3) suggestions for including an effective…

Suggestions for creating memorable lessons that keep students' attention include the following: relate what is being taught to students' lives and interests, give students choices, show students that you enjoy teaching, include human emotion and human interest stories, reduce students' negative emotions, make lessons interesting and active, vary…