Four-day school weeks are becoming increasingly common in the U.S., but their effect on achievement is not well-understood. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we conduct the most representative student-level analysis to date of the effects of four-day weeks on student achievement and within-year growth using NWEA MAP Growth data. We…

This report analyzes recent learning sciences research and provides nine recommendations to address a critical need: how can education policy support and align with the science of learning and development? Research on how students learn and develop is providing teachers, practitioners, and policymakers with insights on how to help students learn…

The teacher's guide presents a set of eight lessons designed to help students develop the skills necessary for making responsible and effective decisions. The lessons focus on: (1) the need to make many decisions daily; (2) alternatives to decisions; (3) decisions based on values; (4) the future consequences of decisions; (5) decisions that are…

Reports the lessons a high school English teacher learned when she switched to teaching in a middle school. (JL)

Discussion of the use of creative dramatics with gifted students considers the value of creative dramatics; components of creative dramatics (structure, open-endedness, a safe environment, and feedback); the actor's elements (voice, body, character or imagination, and group work). Specific exercises to develop the actor's elements are described.…

This book presents a model of curriculum development for gifted students and offers four parallel approaches that focus on ascending intellectual demand as students develop expertise in learning. The parallel curriculum's four approaches include: (1) the core or basic curriculum; (2) the curriculum of connections, which expands on the core…

When planning social studies units, teachers need to build in opportunities for creativity and honor those students who exhibit it. The characteristics of authentically creative work in social studies are discussed and suggestions for projects that encourage creativity are made. (IS)

The author comments on the need to discuss death openly in the classroom, noting that engaging students with the idea of coming to grips with the fact of their own death can prepare them for living, working, and loving more fully. (SH)

Minnesota plays an integral role in the worldwide increase in the exchange of goods, services, and ideas. It is imperative that the state's citizens be able to relate to an increasingly interrelated world and to gain the skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to participate intelligently in such exchanges. Educating to these ends is essential.…

This guide was designed to be responsive to societal changes and to help young people learn how to live, learn, and make a living. The first chapter contains an introduction to and overview of the total guide and was written for a broad audience, including parents, school board members, administrators, and teachers. It emphasizes that quality…

Teachers may unconsciously convey stereotypic notions or behave in discriminating ways. Teachers have been observed to pay more attention to male students and to praise female students more for nonacademic performance. A quiz to help teachers assess their sex bias is included. (DF)

The paper discusses the importance of developing gifted students' leadership potential to bring about world peace. Gifted children's sensitivity in social, moral, and ethical awareness should be nurtured through appropriate curricula, understanding of real-life problems, awareness of worldwide news, and direct communication with other gifted…

Curiosity can be developed and nurtured through application of such educational principles as the rewarding of questioning, the use of open questions, delaying answers, accepting incompleteness in existing knowledge, etc. Teaching techniques for stimulating curiosity include brain questioning, role playing, hypothesizing, and pursuing curiosity.…

Discusses "Object LOGO," a symbolic computer programing language for use in the creative arts. Describes the use of the program in approaching arts projects from textual, graphic, and musical perspectives. Suggests that use of the program can promote development of creative skills and humanities learning in general. (SG)

The introduction to this journal issue on gender equity and the special needs of gifted males examines the role of choice for gifted young people and the significant adults in their lives noting factors that affect choice, social and emotional well-being, achievement and career choice, and breaking free of past patterns. (DB)