Advice, activities, and techniques for getting the first days and weeks of school off to a smooth start are offered in this compilation of six articles taken from issues of "Instructor" (Aug.-Sep. 1976, Aug. 1980, Aug. 1982, Aug. 1983), "Learning" (Sept. 1982), and "Teacher" (Sept. 1979), magazines. Suggestions for…

Structural characteristics of classroom activities and student and teacher engagement behaviors were investigated. Observer teams collected data on the structure of activities, student engagement behaviors, and teacher behaviors in arithmetic and reading lessons in six elementary classrooms in a middle class, suburban school district. The…

Over 30 activities for elementary school classes during the first week of school are described. Ideas are included for a first day checklist, correct pronunciation of names, getting acquainted games, and classroom organization hints. (CJ)

In multigrade instruction, children of at least a 2-year grade span and diverse ability levels are grouped in a single classroom and share experiences involving intellectual, academic, and social skills. "The Multigrade Classroom" is a seven-book series that provides an overview of current research on multigrade instruction, identifies key issues…

Reviews arguments for and against mainstreaming and presents strategies for using newspapers in elementary school mainstreamed social studies classrooms. Gives examples of newspaper learning activities related to community affairs, social competencies, safety, and prevocational skills. (DB)

Describes the structural characteristics of instructinal tasks and their influence on the types of control teachers exercise. Attempts to detail the relationships between task organization and leadership behavior in the classroom setting. (Author/RK)

Teachers should consider using strategy games to introduce students to problem solving in an enjoyable way. Advantages of games, criteria, games and variations to use, and classroom organization are each discussed. (MNS)

Included are 13 enrichment activities for gifted elementary school students in the subjects of mathematics, classroom seating arrangements, logic, language arts, and science. (CJ)

Discusses classroom organization and management techniques for using Logo in an elementary school classroom, including computer placement, daily scheduling, utilization of resource charts for questions on computer use, and student use of diskettes for keeping track of their computer accomplishments. A rationale for choosing Logo is also provided.…

The book's practical classroom strategies and activities are designed to help teachers individualize instruction for children with developmental ages of 3-7 years. Part I offers suggestions for organizing the special educator's schedule and workload (including such topics as reviewing the individualized education program, developing a weekly…

Examines how teachers allocate instructional time in reading classes. Indicates that teachers used 34% of time in reading and responding; 24.89% in listening and discussing; 8.36% waiting; 20.28% completing skill development; 7.52% in telling, writing, and narrating; 3.47% in other activities. Notes that the recommendation that time spent reading…

Presents the Two-Level Cooperative Group Learning Model, a small-group instruction technique, developed at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and based on the Jigsaw II approach. Outlines a sample unit, showing how student expert groups teach their home teams. Demonstrates the technique's benefits: greater student motivation and interaction,…

Designed for elementary school teachers, the document presents a compilation of sample dittos, models, checklists, and creative ideas for implementing learning centers in the elementary school classroom. Separate sections provide the following: (1) a description of the purpose and types of learning centers, (2) a beginning classroom management…

This document is part of the Management for Effective Teaching (MET) support kit, a pilot project designed by the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools to assist elementary school teachers in planning, managing, and implementing the county's Program of Studies (POS). The four sections of this guide provide one-page treatments of general…

This paper contains the three sets of interviews (the Children's Interview, the Parent's Interview, and the Teacher's Interview) used to describe and evaluate the classroom learning environments in the New School's Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) during 1971-72. The purpose of these interviews is to systematically study variations in the…